For more information:
Prevent Blindness
Whitney Anderson
Phone: (800) 301-2020 ext. 105
Email address: [email protected]
Report Data Shows More than 251,000 Toy-related Injuries Treated in U.S. Emergency Departments in One Year Alone
– Prevent Blindness Offers Tips on How to Purchase Safe Toys and Gifts for Kids-
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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 that 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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Look for the letters “ASTM.” This designation means the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
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Don’t 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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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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KidsHealth.org recommends that bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and inline skates should never be used without helmets that meet current safety standards and other recommended safety gear, like hand, wrist and shin guards.
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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.
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.