Safe toys and gifts month 2022

With some questionable health advice being posted by your friends on Facebook, politicians arguing about the state of the American healthcare system and a new medical study being summarized in just a sentence or two on TV---that seems to contradict the study you heard summarized yesterday---it can be overwhelming to navigate the ever changing landscape of health news.Every Thursday at 5:42 a.m., 7:42 a.m. and 5:18 p.m., Dr. Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs provides health information you can trust. With trustworthy sources, she explores the fact and fiction surrounding various medical conditions and treatments, makes you aware of upcoming screenings, gives you prevention strategies and more…all to your health.

KRCU Public Radio | By Dr. Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs

Published November 30, 2022 at 11:45 AM CST

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You might remember the classic "Saturday Night Live" sketch in which Dan Ackroyd portrays Irwin Mainway, a toy company president being questioned about his holiday product line which includes “Bag O’ Glass.” While that toy was fictional, in recent years, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has really created a robust toy safety system, by requiring testing by independent, third party laboratories around the world. However, as gift giving time nears, there are still risks that adults should be aware of when children tear into the wrapping paper.

Hello, I’m Dr. Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs at Southeast Missouri State University. December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month.

Even if the toy is manufactured well and includes warning labels, the children playing with it still requires supervision. The American Public Health Association notes that choking is one of the most common injuries pertaining to toys. Families should be careful about toys with small parts, especially magnets, or button batteries, which can cause serious injury or death if ingested. Gifts of riding toys should come with a companion gift of protective gear, such as helmets and kneepads. Prevent Blindness America estimates an average of 11,000 toy-related eye injuries occur in children each year. The most common causes are toy weapons that shoot; however, eye protection should also be worn when playing sports. Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings and always repair or discard broken toys.

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. The observance was started by Prevent Blindness America. Approximately 217,000 children are treated in emergency rooms annually for toy-related injuries. The injuries can happen because of a fault in the toy itself or due to mishandling of the toy. While the vast majority of injured parties were eventually released by the emergency room or hospital, toy-related injuries are among the most preventable.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CSPC) has reported 17 fatalities in 2018 that involved toys, although the commission has yet to collect the total data for that year. Most injuries involve children under the age of 15. Most fatalities were caused by automobiles and included non-motorized scooters. Other deaths were caused by airway obstruction from toys such as rubber balls, balloons, toy darts, toy food, and stuffed dolls. Finishing the list were drownings and electrocutions.

Types of Toy Related Injuries

It only takes a second for a child to become injured from a toy if they aren’t being adequately supervised. During this holiday season, it is critical to understand the types of injuries that can be sustained from toys, and how to keep children out of harm’s way when they receive their gifts.

• Choking. Choking is one of the most common injuries pertaining to toys. A child’s trachea is no wider than a straw. Even the tiniest of pieces from a toy can block a child’s airways and cause suffocation. Many parts of countless toys can break off and lead to choking. Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional deaths in children under 5 years old. Toy manufacturers are required to put warnings on labels for choking hazards. Always inspect a toy before allowing a child to play with it, read all labels thoroughly, and make sure that the toy is age-appropriate.
• Falls. Most riding-toy injuries are from falls. Children fall off their bikes, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades very often, especially if they are inexperienced. Falls can result in cuts, scrapes, bruises, bone fractures, and severe head injuries. Children are also at risk of falling from treehouses and swing sets and other playground equipment. These injuries are potentially fatal or permanent. The best way to prevent an injury from a fall is proper padding. Kneepads, elbow pads, and helmets save lives and reduce the risk of a severe injury.
• Eye injuries. Prevent Blindness America estimates that an average of 11,000 toy-related eye injuries in children each year. The injuries range in severity from mild corneal abrasions to severe retinal detachment and blindness. Toys such as BB guns or other weapon-related toys are one of the biggest causes of eye injuries. Sports equipment is also a big one. Other toys that cause eye injury are those that contain rubber bands. Bungee cords, used for purposes such as securing items to bikes, are one of the biggest causes of eye injuries. Always make sure that children wear proper protective eyewear when engaging in sports. Make sure that toys are age-appropriate as well.
• Drowning. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water, and water safety is paramount when it comes to toys. One particular toy that has become popular lately is the mermaid tail. They are artificial tails that little girls wear in the water and swim like mermaids, but they limit leg movement and may make swimming more difficult. The toys have made a direct impact on the increase in toy-related drownings in the United States. Almost 900 children die each year from drowning, and it is the number two cause of death in children. Always make sure that children swim only under adult supervision.
• Motor accidents. Certain toys, such as balls, scooters, and bicycles, aren’t always directly responsible for a child’s injury. However, they can contribute to a motor injury. Kids don’t necessarily have the cognizance to know not to run out into the street when chasing a ball, or not to ride their bikes in the street. Motorists aren’t always focusing on the road, and this can lead to a potentially fatal situation. Make sure to properly educate a child about the dangers of not paying attention when playing near streets and especially school zones. Ideally, adult supervision is the best way to keep them from getting hit by a motor vehicle.

Supervise Children and Avoid Toy-Related Injuries

Children require constant supervision because their minds are still developing. They are often unfamiliar with new toys, and injuries are all too common. By knowing the safety hazards involved and how to prevent injury, kids this year will be better off with their new toys.