Children’s toys are supposed to stimulate the imagination and help children have fun. Even though the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates and monitors the toys allowed in the country, however, toy-related child injuries in Homestead occur each year. Each year, children suffer burns, head injuries, choking, and other injuries due to unsafe toys and each year toys are recalled and are the subject of product liability cases in Homestead and other communities because they have caused injuries.
How can you ensure that your child’s toys are safe? Experts recommend a few tips:
1) Know how to buy safe toys. Look for toys that are age-appropriate and be a pro-active shopper. Ask questions and look for safety ratings online. If you notice that a toy seems very loud, has sharp corners, or seems poorly made, try another toy. Many parents opt for domestically-made toys made from materials that are purchased in the United States because they are concerned about lead paint.
2) Stay on top of recalls. Check the product number on all new toys you buy and visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website regularly to make sure that your child’s toys are not affected. If one of your child’s toys is affected by a recall, take the item away at once and follow the proper steps provided by the manufacturer as part of the recall.
3) Store toys safely. Storing toys on shelves can cause children to pull toys down on themselves and toy boxes with lids pose a head injury risk. If your child’s toys are kept in a box, make sure that the box has no lid or has a lid that does not slam down.
4) Check toys carefully for signs of wear and tear. Magnetic toys and toys with electronic parts are especially subject to wear and tear, but any toys that break down can pose a hazard. Once a toy starts to show signs of wear and tear, replace it.
5) Clean toys often. Smaller children, especially, will put toys in their mouth and can get sick if the toys are not kept clean.
6) Always keep your child’s age in mind when buying toys. A toy that is perfectly safe for an older child can pose a choking risk for a younger child. If you have several children in your household, you may need careful supervision to ensure that younger children are not playing with toys meant for older children.
7) Look for labels that indicate the toys are safe. Paints and crayons should be labeled as “non-toxic” and as “ASTM D-4236”, which shows that the American Society for Testing and Materials has evaluated them. Soft fabric toys should be washable and should be labeled as non-flammable.
8) Be wary of older toys. Used toys can be affordable, but they may have been part of a recall or may have been used enough that they are no longer safe. Keep older toys as collectibles if they have sentimental value, but for everyday play choose more recent toys.
If you need a personal injury attorney in Homestead or anywhere in South Florida because your child has been injured by an unsafe toy, contact Flaxman Law Group at any time of the day or night for a free, no obligation case consultation.