For kids, there nothing makes them more exciting and happier than toys. Since the first phase of toddler, they are knowing to have fun with toys so that parent often satisfy them with many kinds of toys.
However, it is necessary to protect kids from potential risk of suffering from toy-related injuries, death. Here are 10 tips useful for parents recommended by experts:
- For children under age 3, choose toys that are at least one inch in diameter and two inches long so they will not lodge in the child’s throat or mouth.
- For children under age 10, don’t give them toys that need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, give them battery-operated toys.
- Select toys with sturdy construction and avoid those with sharp edges and points.
- Don’t buy toy jewelry that may contain toxic metals that can harm children, for example, lead or cadmium.
- Be careful when give children toy balls, latex balloons and small magnets. Because these kinds of toy causing choking, a leading cause of toy-related deaths for kids.
- Toys with pull strings longer than 12 inches could pose a strangulation risk for babies.
- Be careful with toys that require button batteries. If swallowed, these batteries can become lodged in the esophagus, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Keep older kids’ toys away from younger children.
- Some toys contain high-power magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these magnets, they can attract each other and cause serious injury or death. Seek medical help if you child swallows one or more magnets.
- The common rule for all parents in this case: Read all warning labels carefully before buying a toy and consider the child’s age, interests and skill levels.