As we approach the holidays, we welcome a season of giving. Choosing toys that are considered safe for your children should be a priority as you check off your gift list. Our Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group pediatricians provide tips about toys that are not safe to give this season.
Toys with projectiles that launch straight up into the air can be exciting; however, the chances of this toy’s projectile rebounding off of something and toward a child are too high to risk. If a projectile were to fly into a child’s eye, it could impair their vision or scratch the cornea.
While jumping on a trampoline may sound like fun, the small surface area and portability of miniature trampolines make them dangerous. Falling off of the small area could result in bruises, sprains, or breaks. If the trampoline is put in a space with low ceilings, your child could get hurt by hitting their head on something.
Friction burns are a real possibility when it comes to slides. The slick surface also increases the risk of falls if a child were to walk on it. There is a possibility that the slide could be placed on top of a rock or sprinkler head, which could potentially harm children as they slide.
If a child consumes multiple magnets that attract each other within the child, the results can be fatal. If you’re considering any toys with small magnetic parts, be sure that your child is in the recommended age category for that toy and aware of the dangers of ingesting magnets.
This includes small action figures and dolls with tiny accessories. These small parts pose a choking hazard. If something small and sharp is swallowed, it could potentially cause a number of internal issues. Anything that could potentially fit in a child’s nose or ears can also be dangerous and lead to an emergency room visit.
Children are curious and may not thoroughly follow instructions, so avoid giving toys with heating elements to children under the age of 12. Always supervise children when they play with these kinds of toys and teach them how they can avoid burns and prevent fires.
Not only do these toys decrease your child’s amount of physical activity, but they have also been known to catch fire and potentially explode. Falls from hoverboards could result in bruises, sprains, and breaks. If your child were on raised ground and fell off the hoverboard, the potential health threats would magnify. Generally, riding toys should be operated away from stairs, traffic, and bodies of water.
Be sure that your child is 12 years of age or older when gifting hobby kits and that they are properly supervised to ensure instructions and safety precautions are followed.
Choose well-made toys that are not likely to have pieces break off. These small pieces could be swallowed or cause the child to choke.
If you avoid these and other dangerous toys, you are one step closer to ensuring your children have a safe holiday season. If injuries occur during the festivities, know where to go when minutes matter. St. Luke’s Health emergency rooms are open 24/7, even on holidays.
Sources:
Buying Guidelines for Safe and Fun Toys
Unwrap the Gift of Toy Safety
Toy Safety—Prevention
Parents: Check Toys for Lead
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