According to the Toy Industry Association,1 toys generated nearly $21 billion in sales in 2010. Many of those purchases came during the Christmas holiday season.
No matter what time of year they are purchased, a danger risk comes along with them.
In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that, during that same year, 181,500 children under the age of 15 were treated in emergency rooms across the nation as a result of toy-related injuries. There were also 17 toy-related deaths in 2010.2
"This time of year, there is a big push for consumers to stock up on toys, and people love to get kids toys to open up," explains Dr. Pamela McCullough, a pediatric nurse practitioner and the director of the nursing program at Stratford University's Woodbridge (Va.) campus. "But placing an emphasis on safety has to be a top priority. It is important for anyone purchasing toys to take the time to minimize risks."
Here are 5 tips for choosing safe toys, this holiday or any time of the year:
"The last thing anyone wants is to give a child a gift that ends up sending them to the emergency room or worse," adds Dr. McCullough. "While there is no sure-fire way to avoid injuries, following these safety tips will help you minimize the risks, and help make it a better experience."
Source: Stratford University (www.stratford.edu [3])
Footnotes
1. Toy Industry Association. Economic Data & Statistics. http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Industry_Statistic... [4] (accessed December 5, 2011)
2. Consumer Reports. "CPSC: Toy recalls and lead violations down, but 181,500 child injuries is too high." November 16, 2011. http://www.astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=2620 [5] (accessed December 5, 2011)
3. ASTM International. New Standard for Children's Jewelry Is Issued by ASTM International.
Posted December 5, 2011
Links:
[1] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/3297
[2] https://mail.momsteam.com/node/2591
[3] http://www.stratford.edu
[4] http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Industry_Statistics
[5] http://www.astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=2620
[6] http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/11/toy-recalls-and-lead-violations-are-down-but-180000-child-injuries-a-year-is-too-high-cpsc-says.html