Pediatricians at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital are advising caution when selecting toys and gifts for children during the holiday season. They emphasize the importance of choosing age-appropriate items to reduce the risk of injury.
Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicates that in 2023, there were 10 deaths and more than 154,700 toy-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms among children aged 12 and younger. Most fatalities were due to choking on small balls or crayons and drownings related to flotation toys. Non-motorized scooters represented a significant portion of these injuries, accounting for one in every five toy-related injuries among children ages 14 and under.
Physicians recommend several safety measures for shoppers:
– Check age-appropriate labels on toys to ensure they match the child’s abilities, especially for those under three years old.
– Pay attention to safety warnings and labels.
– Avoid toys with projectiles, sharp edges, or parts that can detach easily.
– Select toys that are not excessively loud to prevent hearing damage.
– Opt for sturdy toys unlikely to break easily.
– Choose nontoxic crayons and markers.
– Fabric toys should be labeled as flame-resistant or flame-retardant; plush toys should be washable.
– Include protective equipment such as helmets when gifting sporting items like bicycles or skates.
– Avoid giving gifts containing magnets or button batteries—or any small parts—to children younger than three years old due to ingestion risks.
– Keep small balls and similar objects away from young children; deflated balloons should not be given to those under eight years old.
– Steer clear of toys with ropes, cords, or heating elements.
– Dispose of plastic wrappings immediately after opening gifts to prevent accidental play with packaging materials.
– Demonstrate safe usage of new toys and supervise children during playtime.
Dr. Mansi Batra, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Navicent, said: “When shopping for children’s gifts, be sure the child’s age aligns with the recommended age printed on the toy. If the toy contains plastic or other wrapping that’s best handled by an adult, consider unboxing the gift before giving it to the child. In addition, if you’re gifting bikes or scooters, be sure to include helmets so that kids can start playing safely right away.”
In case of emergencies involving children, care is available around-the-clock at the Pediatric Emergency Center at Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital located at 888 Pine Street in Macon. The center is staffed by board-certified pediatric specialists.
