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For Toy Safety, Follow Manufacturer's Instructions

Safe Kids Kansas offers toy safety reminders

Parents and caregivers can make sure they're choosing safe toys for their children by paying close attention to warning labels and manufacturer's guidelines.

"More than 3 billion toys and games are sold in the United States every year, and most of them are very safe. Warning labels and manufacturers' instructions tell you how to use the product safely," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas (www.kansassafekids.org) coordinator. "If the manufacturer sets a minimum age or other restrictions, there's a reason. Follow the instructions."

Nationwide in 2003, more than 155,000 children ages 14 and under (including nearly 53,000 ages 4 and under) were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries.

"By far, the biggest category of toy-related injuries - about 40 percent - involves riding toys, such as scooters, inline skates and skateboards," says Stegelman. "If you give a riding toy to a child, remember: the gift isn't complete without a helmet and protective gear." Riding toys should not be used near vehicle traffic, stairs, swimming pools or bodies of water.

"If you buy toys secondhand or get hand-me-downs, visit www.recalls.gov to make sure the toy hasn't been recalled for safety reasons," says Stegelman. "If a new toy comes with a product registration card, mail it in right away so the manufacturer can contact you if the item is ever recalled."

Safe Kids Kansas also recommends these precautions:

• Use a small parts tester or the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper to identify choking hazards. Do not let small children play with anything that can fit into one of these cylinders.
• Inspect toys often to make sure they are in good repair. Do not let young children play with broken toys or toys with straps, cords or strings longer than 7 inches, due to the risk of strangulation.
• Supervise children playing with any toy that has small parts, moving parts, electrical or battery power, cords, wheels or any other potentially risky component. Simply being in the same place as your child is not necessarily supervising. An actively supervised child is in sight and in reach at all times and is receiving your undivided attention.
• 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.

For more information about toy safety, protective equipment and choking, visit www.safekids.org.

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