Now that December is here, many Florida residents are busy consulting their holiday gift lists. If you are taking care of holiday shopping and have a few children on your list, however, you have to look beyond just fun toys and think safety, too. In 2013 alone, there were more than 256,000 ER visits due to toy injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
If you want to embrace holiday gift-giving but want to keep the children on your gift list safe, here are a few safety tips from the experts:
1) Avoid anything with projectiles.
Darts, bb guns, and any toy shooting objects at a distance pose significant eye and facial injury hazards. According to ER doctors, these are the most common toy-related injuries they see every holiday season. Never give a shooting toy to a child too young to use the toy correctly. If an older toy has a shooting toy as a must-have gift, consider buying eye protection as part of the gift.
2) Avoid any toys with small removable parts or sharp edges.
Many customers assume any toy they see on store shelves is safe and has been extensively tested. This is not always the case – and even if a toy has been tested, it does not guarantee its safety. Products liability claims in Hollywood and across Florida are filed each year because children are injured due to unsafe toys.
Always check a toy yourself and avoid any toy with sharp edges or any removable parts that pose a choking hazard. Don’t buy toys that are poorly made and may result in broken-off smaller toys. Look for sturdy, solid toys without long cords or small moveable parts.
3) Check reviews online.
At this time of year, many companies publish toy reviews, checking for things like safety. These reviews can help you find safe toys and can help you avoid some of this year’s most dangerous toys. When buying toys, be sure to keep the receipts and check recall lists, as well.
4) Buy new.
Used toys may be damaged or may have been recalled. It’s safer to buy a smaller new toy than a used toy.
5) Never buy toys intended for an older child.
A toy designed to be safe for a 7-year-old can pose a serious hazard to a 3-year-old. Always buy child-appropriate gifts and read the directions and warnings carefully.
If your child has been injured by an unsafe toy, talk to a legal professional in Hollywood or your area. You can always contact Flaxman Law Group to arrange a free accident consultation, for example. Burns from electronic toys, injuries caused by cuts or fractures, and other injuries can take a long time to heal and can result on complications later in life, in some cases. Holding negligent toy manufacturers responsible helps encourage safety in the industry while seeking compensation for your child may help you pay for necessary medical care. For your free accident consultation and to learn more, contact Flaxman Law Group today.