Giving toys as gifts should be a fun experience. Watching a child’s face light up as they open their present is one of the great joys of the holidays. In no way do you intend to put the child in harm’s way by giving your gift, but that is exactly what could happen. Thousands of children are seen by doctors and hospitals each year as a result of toy-related injuries. This makes choosing the right toy essential. Read on to discover how you can make the safest decisions when picking out the gift you will give.
Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
These little ones love toys. The flashing lights, the sounds, and the movement can delight toddlers and preschoolers. Even infants can become engaged with attractive toys. When choosing a toy for the smallest of children, follow these guidelines:
- Avoid toys that are small enough to be put in the mouth and swallowed. Experts suggest using a toilet paper roll to gauge the correct size. If the toy you are considering can fit easily into a toilet paper roll, it is too small.
- Don’t buy toys that have marbles or games with small balls. These can easily get lodged in the windpipe of a curious child.
- Any toy that has a battery should have that battery enclosed in a secure case.
- Avoid strings, sharp ends and pinching parts.
Children in Grade School
Moving toys are particularly popular among this age group. If you choose to buy a hoverboard, scooter or skateboard, be sure to purchase protective safety equipment as well. If you buy any type of toy gun for a child in this age group, make sure that it is brightly colored and in no way could be mistaken for a real gun. Avoid BB and pellet guns.
Teaching Safe Use
If you are giving the gift, make sure that you understand how to use it and can teach the child how to use it safely. Don’t hand a child a toy and let them play with it without instruction. Be sure that the parents of the child also know how to operate the toy safely. This way, parents can supervise play correctly and remove the toy if play becomes dangerous.
No one gives a toy with the anticipation of a child being harmed. Most gifts are simply given in the spirit of the season with the hopes that a child will be pleased. If you will be giving toys as gifts this year, follow the safety tips above to help ensure that the recipient of your present is not harmed.
If your child has been injured by a defective product in Charleston, you may have grounds for a successful personal injury lawsuit. Reach out to our team of experienced attorneys and schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation. We will review the details and cause of your child’s injury and advise you of your options. Call today or browse our website for more information about our firm and the types of cases we handle.