The Temecula Valley Hospital Emergency Department has a holiday message for the community…Not seeing you and your children in the ER would be a wonderful gift! Too many children are seen in the ER for toy-related injuries, especially during the holiday season. There are a number of things you can do to prevent unexpected visits to the hospital according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Children under the age of three love to put things in their mouth, and toys with small pieces present a choking hazard. Try to purchase items that do not pose this problem. Pay close attention to warning labels and stick with age-appropriate gifts.
Toys or gifts that contain plastic bags, cords, straps, ropes, or strings longer than seven inches pose the risk of suffocation or strangulation. Gifts with sharp edges or points and toys made with hard, thin plastic that can be easily broken. Soft, pliable toys are better choices for young children.
As fun as they may be, dart guns and other toys that shoot or launch various projectiles can cause serious injury. Even foam darts have the potential to cause injury to the eye. And speaking of eyes, lasers and bright lights have the potential to damage a child’s eyesight if not used properly. Gifts such as these should only be given to children who are able to understand or follow safety instructions. To protect children’s hearing and yours, choose toys without loud noises or sirens.
Head trauma is a frequent problem at the holidays. Make sure you include a safety helmet and other protective gear such as knee, wrist, and elbow pads when giving bikes, scooters, skateboards, or skates as a present.
If you have children that others will be buying gifts for, providing them with a safe toys and gifts list to shop from would probably be appreciated. As a parent, ensure that all gifts your children receive are safe by inspecting them prior to opening the box and allowing your children to play with them. You can exchange potentially dangerous gifts for those that are safe.
Finally, when in doubt, don’t buy it. When it comes to children, safety always comes first. All of us at Temecula Valley Hospital wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.