It’s no coincidence that December was chosen by Prevent Blindness America as Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Preventable toy injuries occur every year, most frequently around the holidays. Approximately 235,300 injuries reported last year were toy-related, 73 percent of which happened to children under the age of 15. Consider some of the following tips when shopping for kids this Christmas:
- Inspect and test each toy before wrapping it. Check for projectile parts, sharp edges, or small pieces that could prove to be a choking hazard.
- If gifting sporting goods, be sure to include the safety equipment (helmets, facemasks, goggles).
- Stay current on toy recalls.
- Take the child’s age into account. Does a 6-year-old really know how to operate a BB gun?
Be smart about the gifts you purchase and prevent toy-related injuries. For more tips, check out Prevent Blindness America’s suggestions.
Also, don’t forget about your little artists with special needs!