Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Toy Tips Given For Safe Holiday Gift Giving

The staff of Arkansas Children's Hospital wants all children to have a safe, happy and injury-free holiday season.

Here are some tips for making sure that the toys your child received are safe.

• Follow recommended age ranges on toy packages. Toys that are too advanced could be a safety hazard for younger children. Teach older children to keep their toys out of reach of their brothers and sisters.
• Avoid small toys and toys with removable parts that could be swallowed or become lodged in a child's throat, windpipe, ears or nose.
• Avoid toys that shoot small objects into the air or make loud or shrill noises to avoid risk of serious eye or ear injury.
• Avoid toys with sharp edges. Toys for children under age 8 are required to be free of sharp glass and metal edges.
• Keep toys with long strips or cords away from infants and very young children. Remove drawstrings from all hooded clothing as these strings can catch on objects and choke a child.
• Make sure stuffed animals, cloth dolls and other soft toys have sturdy seams and securely attached eyes, noses, buttons, ribbons and other small parts.
• Teach children to put toys away after playing. Safe storage prevents falls and other injuries.
• If your child has a toy or toy chest, make sure it has a lid support and air holes that will prevent the lid from falling and hurting your child and trapping him or her inside.
• Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys to prevent the risk of suffocation.
• Check old and new toys regularly for damage, such as sharp joints, jagged edges, rough surfaces or loose parts. Make any repairs immediately or throw away damaged toys.