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December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Posted by: Center for Sight in Eye Health, December 11, 2024
What an exciting time of the year! ‘Tis the season of holiday cheer, family traditions, shopping, and giving gifts to loved ones. As we prepare our holiday shopping list, it’s important to remember that some popular toys may not be the best gift for your child. To bring awareness to Safe Toys Month, the Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that about a quarter of a million children are seen in hospital emergency departments in the U.S. yearly due to toy-related injuries. Nearly half of those injuries were to the head and face, including the eyes, and children under age 5 sustain about 35 percent of toy-related injuries.
As parents and grandparents, you play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of your children. This holiday season, when choosing gifts, you can shop with an eye on safety. Your careful selection can make a significant difference in keeping your child safe.
It’s important to understand that common toy-related eye injuries can range from a minor scratch to severe, sight-threatening injuries such as traumatic cataracts, bleeding inside the eye, retinal detachment, and even permanent vision loss. This knowledge should encourage you to be extra cautious when selecting gifts for your children.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, here are a few toys to avoid this holiday season and some safe alternatives to consider. For instance, consider a board game or a puzzle instead of a toy gun. Instead of a drone, consider a remote-controlled car. These alternatives provide fun and entertainment without the risk of eye injuries.
- Avoid toys that shoot objects. This includes slingshots, dart guns, pellet guns, arrows, and water balloon launchers. Closely supervise any child playing with such toys.
- Avoid drones with spinning rotors. A drone offered this holiday to children aged 12 and up has spinning rotor blades that move at high speed, posing a danger to eyes, fingers, and hair.
- Avoiding high-powered laser pointers can cause permanent vision loss. Though technically not a toy, some children use them to play “laser tag” or “flashlight tag.” Recent reports show that high-powered lasers (between 1500 and 6000 milliwatts) can cause permanent eye damage in children, including retinal burns and even blindness.
- Avoid toy swords, sabers, or wands.
- Read labels for age recommendations before you buy. To select appropriate gifts suited for a child’s age, look for and follow the age recommendations and instructions about proper assembly, use, and supervision. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of toy-related injuries. Age recommendations are not just suggestions but are based on safety standards and developmental appropriateness.
Give with joy this holiday season, knowing you’ve chosen gifts with an eye on safety! Your thoughtful selection will bring joy to your child and ensure their safety.
