Choose the Right Toys This Holiday Season

Black Friday has come and gone, but it served to officially kick off the holiday shopping season. If you have little ones on your gift list, chances are you will be buying one or more toys this holiday season. Toys are meant to be enjoyed and most are. Sadly, some toys cause more damage than joy. When small children are left unsupervised with some toys, disaster can result.

There are more than three billion toys sold each year. These toys are marketed to different ages, and many people rely on the age guidelines marked on the packaging when purchasing these gifts. It is important to know that even when following these guidelines, children can fall into hazardous situations if left unsupervised with the toy.

Children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk of sustaining a toy-related injury. Choking is typically the most common injury, but children are also susceptible to falls, burns, suffocation, poisoning and drowning. Despite coming with instructions and warnings, toys need to be taught, so-to-speak. A child must learn how to properly play with a toy to avoid suffering an injury.

Riding toys are the cause of the most toy-related fatalities. Children fall off, hit their heads and sustain fatal injuries. Balloons pose a serious choking hazard. When choosing toys for the little ones on your list, the most important thing you can do is look at the construction of the toy. Read safety labels, and know the child you are purchasing the item for.

Tips for Selecting Toys

Choosing toys for children can be difficult, even if you have kids of your own. It seems that there is danger lurking inside every box and behind every tag. Before you decide it would be safer to skip the toys altogether, read these tips for selecting the best toy for your small recipient.

1. Read Labels

The first thing to do is to read the label. If the toy is marked for a certain age group, don’t purchase it for any child younger than the stated minimum age.

2. Know the Child

Some children are very careful with their toys. Other children put everything they see in their mouths. Know the type of child you are purchasing the toy for and choose accordingly.

3. Look for Recalls

Take a look at the most recent recall list before buying any toy. Avoid purchasing any toy you find on the list.

4. Get the Okay

We all want to surprise the child we are purchasing for, but we don’t have to surprise the parents. Get an okay from the adults in the house before you buy a toy. The parents may not want their child to have a skateboard. They may know that their child is apt to put small pieces in their mouths or nose. Run your idea by the little one’s parents first.

5. Open and Inspect

Once you purchase the toy, open the box and inspect the toy. Look for any broken or damaged pieces. If the toy is not intact, take it back to the store for an exchange or refund.

If your child has been injured by a defective product in Charlotte, call our office. We will help you schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and advise you of your options.