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WHICH TOY IS DANGEROUS FOR MY CHILD?

Researchers found that between 1990 to 2011, the number of hospital emergency room cases related to toys increased from 121,249 to 195,363.

Top culprits:

· scooters had injury rates of 40 percent

· Other common culprits included toy food and toy guns.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Parents need to be aware of the precautions that should be taken for certain toys to help prevent an injury.

· Children should be supervised at all times

· Keep floors free of toys and obstructions that can be tripped over

· Always use a securely fitted safety harness in a pram, pushchair or highchair

· Never leave babies unattended on raised surfaces

· Do not place baby bouncers on raised surfaces – they could fall off with the movement of the baby

· The use of baby-walkers and table-mounted high chairs is not recommended.

· Buy toys only from recognized outlets;

· Make sure the toy is suitable for the child, check the age range;

· Be particularly careful with toys for children under three;

· Be wary of young children playing with older children’s toys;

· Check for loose hair and small parts, sharp edges and points;

· Ensure that garden swings and slides are robust and are not a strangulation hazard;

· Check toys regularly for wear and repair or dispose of them where necessary;

· Follow the instructions and warnings provided with toys;

Children differ in their rate of development but the information below is a guide to development stages:

Age Development Advice
0-6 months Wriggle and kick, grasp, suck, roll over. Do not leave on a raised surface.
6mths-1 yr Stand, sit, crawl, put things in mouth. Keep small objects and dangerous substances out of reach
1-2 years Move about, reach things high up, and find hidden objects, walk, and climb. Never leave alone, place hot drinks out of reach, use a fireguard and stair gates
2-3 years Be adventurous, climb higher, pull and twist things, watch and copy. Be a good role model and be watchful. Place matches and lighters out of sight and reach.
3-4 years Use grown-up things, be helpful, understand instructions, be adventurous, explore, walk downstairs alone. Continue to be a good role model, keep being watchful but start safety training.
4-5 years Play exciting games, can be independent, ride a bike, enjoy stories They can actually plan to do things and carry it out. Rules are very important to them, as long as everybody keeps to the same ones. They enjoy learning. Continue safety training.
5-8 years Will be subject to peer pressure and will still forget things. Still need supervision, guidance and support.

SOURCE: The study was published in the journal, Clinical Pediatrics., http://www.rospa.com


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TOY SAFETY

Toys are enjoyable and fun thing for the children. Whether kids are playing with toys or building a Lego car or using his brains to put forward a puzzle, safety should be there in all these toys.

Everyday 500 kids are injured with these toys. 181,500 children were treated in emergency room in 2010, for toy-related injuries. Half of them were under 4 years. Every 101 minutes a child dies in United States from an unintentional injury.

Injuries are a big concern. Besides hefty emergency department bills, missed schools, disabilities and caring for these sick kids all cause a big problem.

Tips to be safe with toys.

• Buying safe toys for young children means it need to match their stages of development and emerging activities.

• When buying the toy consider the age. Spend some time to read the instructions and buy the toy appropriate for the child.

• Always check for any small parts or choking hazards before settling for the toy.

• Games which have smaller pieces are a great game for older kids. But they are all choking hazards younger ones. You should keep extra vigil when your child is dealing with such toys.

• When the playtime is over, all the toys should go inside a big basket or bin type of containers. There should not be any holes or hinges to hurt the kids.

• Bike, skateboards, scooter and other riding equipment need a helmet to keep the child safe.

• Check for damaged toys. Repair them in time.

• Electrical toys are a potential burn hazard. Children under 8 should not use toys with electrical plugs and batteries.

• Riding toys, galloping horses, bouncing balls all should be supervised. There are chances of kids falling from those and getting hurt.

• Magnets and toy boats on water also should be supervised.

• Toys need to be washable and non-toxic ones because all toys eventually end up in baby’s mouth.

• Children love to play with toys and pull them apart. So shop for only sturdy toys.

• Stay away from loose strings or cords because they can become tangled around baby’s neck.

• You should need to look for sharp parts and splinters when buying toys.

• You want your children to follow Einstein’s footsteps. So avoid non-age appropriate, inflammable and toxic and which include dangerous chemicals.

Above all, enjoy the time with your child by playing with them and their toys.