Santa’s helpers are busy shopping for every good little boy and girl this holiday season. There are 3 billion dollars worth of toys sold in the United States each year and 65% of those sales are made between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are many things to consider before purchasing that special toy.
Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) released a Trouble in Toyland report. They created a website for parents that list toys that didn’t pass current safety guidelines. WISPIRG groups the toys into three categories: hazards of choking, excessive noise and toxic chemicals. They report that last year 82,000 children were sent to the hospital with toy related injuries. Nineteen of those injuries were fatal. A study published in the 1998 Journal of the American Medical Association stated that 15% of children ages 6 to 17 showed signs of hearing loss. At this time there are no federal regulations in the United States that limits the noise level of toys so this consideration can be important for the whole family.
Consumer Reports state that toy companies are making safer toys. In 2009 there were only 38 toys recalled compared to 162 in 2008. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published a safety checklist for parents to review before buying toys.
1. Scooters and riding toys – always buy a helmet
2. Small balls and toys with small parts – check for the appropriate age
3. Magnets – can be fatal if they detach from small toys and young children ingest them
4. Balloons – deflated balloons pose a suffocation risk to children under 8 years old
5. Chargers and adapters – require adult supervision
To ensure a safe and joyful celebration this holiday season make sure you follow the safety recommendations and age appropriate guidelines for the toys you purchase.
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