Toys to avoid

Our guest columnist is Danielle Carlino, BSH, community health educator for Safe Kids Northeast Florida, led by THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

Shopping for the kids in your life is so much fun around the holidays — your niece is going to freak out when she sees her new bike! But if you don’t choose carefully when checking gifts off your list, this season of cheer could become dangerous.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nationwide there were over 200,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms and 17 toy-related deaths in 2018. While it’s not fun to think about, we know one thing: these cases are usually preventable if we take precautions when gift shopping.

Smart online shopping

When it comes to choosing safe toys to put under the tree, spending time on your research is key. There are ways to carefully shop online, and during COVID it can be the safest and most convenient way to get through your holiday gift list. But it is important to remain cautious, aware, and diligent about making sure the seller and product are both safe and reputable.

The Toy Association says nearly one in three parents falsely believe counterfeit toys are not sold on major online marketplaces. The organization recommends researching the seller’s reputation and reading product reviews. If possible, purchase directly through the manufacturer or a verified seller. There have been many stories and examples of counterfeit products being sold online, like car seats, magnet sets and inclined sleepers for babies. These products may not have the same safety standards as the originals.

Always heed the age requirements on any product you want to purchase. These age recommendations are based on safety, in addition to cognitive development, so it could be dangerous for a child to play with a toy they are too young for. Try to inspect photos of the product for any small parts or elements that may detach from the toy. For example, the plastic eyes on a teddy bear can be removed and put your child at risk of choking.

After unwrapping

Once your child opens the toy, make sure all the packaging (including twist ties and small plastic pieces) is thrown out and it is assembled properly. Tighten those little screws and make sure the toy’s parts cannot detach. Safe Kids also recommends finding the registration card inside the toy’s packaging and registering the product so you will be alerted of any recalls.

Also, try to teach older children to put their toys away immediately after use. This reduces the risk of younger children playing with toys designed for older children, or reaching for toys that are left out (usually by standing on something unstable or trying to climb).

The naughty list

Most toys are safe for kids, as long as you’ve followed the above recommendations. However, some have been linked to more injuries than others, and are best left on the store shelf. We recommend you pass on:

• Toys with small parts, projectiles or sharp pieces.
• Rubber balls and balloons, which are common choking culprits.
• Magnets, especially strong ones, which can be choking hazards or cause internal damage if swallowed.
• Toy chests with lids — the CPSC has reported children being struck in the head or neck by the lid.
• Toys with button batteries that are not secured by a screwed-in back.

Non-motorized scooters have been responsible for their fair share of injuries, as have bicycles. Always remember that safety accessories don’t come with the product, so be sure to include helmets, pads and visibility reflectors in any gifting plans. Also, be sure to fit the helmet correctly before letting any child ride his or her new bike, skateboard or scooter.

Finally, always make sure an adult is present to supervise playtime. Certain toys, like bikes and scooters, may require more maintenance, and performing routine checks helps keep them as safe as possible.

The holidays are a lovely time and we want to enjoy every moment with our children and families. Remember, we can do that while still being safe and proactive about avoiding preventable injuries.

If your child experiences an injury over the holidays, Wolfson Children’s Hospital is here for you. Visit wolfsonchildrens.com/emergency for a list of ER locations staffed by pediatric emergency medicine specialists and current wait times. For more guidelines on child safety at all ages, check out wolfsonchildrens.com/safekids.