For more information:
Prevent Blindness
Whitney Anderson
Phone: (800) 301-2020 ext. 105
E-mail address: [email protected]
– Prevent Blindness Provides Tips on Best Ways to Keep Holidays Safe by Purchasing Safe Toys and Gifts for Children –
To help shoppers select appropriate gifts this holiday season that emphasize eye safety, Prevent Blindness has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness month and offers tips including:
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Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
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Ask yourself or the parent if the toy is right for the child’s ability and age. Consider whether other smaller children may be in the home and may have access to the toy.
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Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges.
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Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards.
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When giving gifts of sports equipment make sure that the proper sports eye protection is also included. Recommendations may be found at www.preventblindness.org/recommended-sports-eye-protectors
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Look for the letters “ASTM.” This designation means the product meets the national safety standards set by ASTM International.
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Read all warnings and instructions on the box.
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Always supervise children and demonstrate to them how to use their toys safely.
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If purchasing sunglasses, make sure they are labeled as 100 percent UV-blocking.
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Do not give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If any part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
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Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children as these can become wrapped around a child’s neck.
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Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately.
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Do not purchase toys with small magnets. Magnets, like those found in magnetic building sets and other toys, can be extremely harmful if swallowed. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a child may have swallowed a magnet.
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Ensure any batteries are securely in place.
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Ensure all art materials are labeled as “nontoxic.”
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness is Ohio’s leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. We serve all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to more than 800,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. For more information or to make a contribution, call 800-301-2020. Or, visit us on the web at www.pbohio.org or facebook.com/pbohio.