The holidays are upon us, and December is National Safe Toys and Gifts month for a good reason. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 200,000 children visit the emergency room with toy-related injuries every year. Many of these injuries are due to choking and falls and can be prevented. Use these tips to gift toys for the appropriate age and reduce the risk of injury to your loved ones.
Ages 0 -3
Choking is a prominent holiday hazard for infants. Over half of choking related emergency room visits each year are children age three and under. When purchasing a gift for an infant or toddler, always check the age-appropriate range provided by the manufacturer. Visually look at pieces to ensure they are safe for mouthing, generally larger than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. Avoid toys with magnets or button batteries that could be swallowed. Sometimes toy packaging is just as appealing as the toy itself. When a toy is opened, make sure all packaging is thrown away immediately to avoid ingestion.
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