Seton Baby Talk

When I was younger I believed that the holiday season would be completely different once I had a child, and boy was I right! I developed this idea after a few years spent in what I call the “in between zone” - when my brother and I were old enough to be living on our own, but had not yet started families of our own. Your family might be different, but during those years, we were able to go shopping in peace, wrap gifts beautifully, and even bake for each other. Then, on the actual holiday, we exchanged gifts and feasted on a gourmet holiday meal in a serene and civilized atmosphere. We could even have real candles on the tree!!

Fast forward to the present time and it a whole different scene. Parenthood requires so much of us: one-handed diaper changes on the floor, patience while pre-schoolers learn to put on socks, and holiday safety know-how. Below you will find holiday safety tips for families and resources for more information.

Wishing you and your families a safe holiday season from the Injury Prevention Program at Dell Children’s Medical Center!

Toy Injuries

More than 3 billion toys and games are sold annually in the United States. Although they are meant to provide joy and entertainment, toys are often linked to injuries. Children ages 4 and under are at especially high risk. While choking accounts for many deaths and injuries in this age group, children can also suffer from falls, strangulation, burns, drowning and poisoning while playing with toys.

Although the majority of toys are safe, they can become dangerous if misused or used by children who are too young for them. Appropriate selection and proper use of toys, combined with parental supervision, can greatly reduce the incidence and severity of such injuries.

Source: National SAFE KIDS Campaign (NSKC). Toy Injury Fact Sheet. Washington (DC): NSKC, 2005

Toy Safety

• Before shopping for toys, consider the child’s age, interest, and skill level.
• When shopping, read labels. Look for well-made toys and follow age and safety information on the warning labels.
• Keep toys with small parts away from children under age 3. You can use the cardboard tube inside of a toilet paper roll to test parts – if they fit inside it, then they could be a choking hazard, and should be kept out of reach of children under 3 years old.
• Read assembly instructions and keep them in case you have questions. Complete warranty/product registration cards.
• Teach children to put away toys after playing with them. This will help prevent falls and unsupervised play by young children.
• Remove and throw away the packaging from toys before giving it to a child.
• Ensure that toys are used in a safe environment. Riding toys should not be used near stairs, traffic or swimming pools.
• Always supervise children at play. Play is even more valuable when adults become involved and interact with children rather than supervising from a distance.
• Avoid electrical toys with heating elements (batteries or electrical plugs) for children under 8. These toys are a potential burn hazard.
• Avoid toys that produce loud noises. Toy guns and loud electronic games can permanently impair a child’s hearing.
• Check old and new toys regularly for sharp edges or loose small parts. Damaged toys should be repaired or thrown away immediately.
• If a product poses a safety risk to children, a recall can be issued. Report any safety concerns you have about toys to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772. Additionally, you may check for toy recalls at www.recalls.gov.

Gift and Home Decorations

• When you select a live tree choose one with needles that are fresh, green, and hard to pull off. A tree that is dried out can be a fire hazard. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Artificial Christmas trees should be flame-retardant.
• Check decorative electrical lights for frayed wires, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive wear before using them. Always turn off lights when leaving your house or going to sleep.
• Do not leave any candles unattended. Use stable candle holders that are out of reach of children. Never put lit candles on a tree.
• In homes with small children avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
• Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or cause a fire if near a flame. A child can be strangled by a 7 inch piece of ribbon or string.
• Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
• Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for safety hazards.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide. Toy and Game Safety Brochure. Washington (DC): 2007

Safe Kids Worldwide. Holiday Safety Tips, http://www.usa.safekids.org/holidaytips/

Additional Information

• For more information about toy safety you can visit the Safe Kids USA website
• http://www.usa.safekids.org/holidaytips/
• http://sk.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/Campaigns/ToySafety/campaignToySafety
• For fire safety information visit http://www.usa.safekids.org/fire
• Dell Children’s Medical Center, Injury Prevention Program
• U.S.PIRG – Public Interest Research Group – Annual Trouble in Toyland Report

Toy Safety

Frequently Asked Questions
Provided by Safe Kids USA

Just how many injuries and deaths are caused by toys each year?

There are approximately 217,000 toy-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide. On average, only 15 children under the age of 14 die each year from a toy-related injury.

What causes the most deaths?

The most frequent cause of death related to a toy is choking on small parts.

It seems like a lot of toys have been recalled recently?

Actually, the number of toys recalled is a fraction of the 3 billion toys sold in the United States every year. The vast majority of toys on the market are considered to be safe.

What can I do to make sure I buy toys that don’t have lead paint or dangerous magnets?

The best way to know if a toy is safe to buy is to stay current on what toys have been recalled. Toy shoppers can stay up-to-date on toy recalls by signing up for email alerts at www.cpsc.gov.

What else should I think about when holiday shopping for toys?

First, only buy toys from a reputable retailer. Second, avoid buying second-hand or used toys; they may have been recalled and deemed to be unsafe. Third, use caution when buying toys online; only buy from sources you know have been vigilant about removing recalled toys from their inventories.

How do I know if a toy is right for the child I’m shopping for?

Buy age-appropriate toys. All toys are clearly marked if they have small parts; do not buy toys with small parts (or allow a child under age 3 to play with those kinds of toys belonging to an older sibling.

How do I know if a part is too small for a young child?

To be sure of a toy’s size, use a small parts tester (available in quantity from the Safe Kids Resource Catalog). If you don’t have a small parts tester, you can use an empty toilet paper roll (which is slightly larger in diameter than a small parts tester). Do not let small children play with anything that can fit into any of these cylinders.

What about toys I already own?

Inspect toys to make sure they are in good repair. Do not let young children play with toys that have straps, cords or strings longer than 7 inches, due to the risk of strangulation. Caregivers should actively supervise children playing with any toy that has small parts, moving parts, electrical or battery power, cords, wheels or any other potentially risky component.

What does it mean to “actively supervise” children?

Simply being in the same vicinity as your child is not necessarily supervising. Active supervision means keeping the child in sight and in reach and paying undivided attention.

How do I keep my older child’s toys away from my younger child?

Teach children to put toys away after playing, to help prevent falls and unsupervised play, and make sure toys intended for younger children are stored separately from those for older children. Toy chests should be equipped or retrofitted with safety hinges that prevent the lid from closing on a child who is leaning over the open chest; if a chest does not have safety hinges, remove the lid.