BUYER BEWARE
Each year about this time, I try to signal a cautionary alarm against unnecessary sadness at a time that ought to be filled with joy. Most of the nearly six billion toys that are sold each year are sold during this holiday season. Sometimes, in the flurry of last minute shopping, people may tend to forget about the age-appropriateness and safety of toys for children.
Experts tell us that about 700,000 children are injured by toys each year. As incredible as that may sound, between now and the end of January, these experts say that about 14,000 children will be injured badly enough to force treatment at hospital emergency rooms around the country, and that the cause will be holiday toys and decorations. Perhaps predictably, more than half of those injuries will occur to children under the age of 15.
Thus, in the midst of this joyous season, I think it is worth it to spend a moment reviewing toy safety for our children. Hopefully we can avoid putting them in jeopardy in the weeks ahead. The Consumer Products Safety Commission and the Toy Manufacturers Association have come up with a common-sense list of ideas on judging toy safety, and it's certainly worth reviewing.
First of all, make sure the packaging says that the toys intended for each specific child are suitable in terms of age, skill, ability level, and interest. There are age recommendations on most toy packages. These can be used as a basic guideline for safe, as well as stimulating, toys.
If supervision is required for a toy, be prepared to make the necessary time commitment, and set ground rules for your children regarding when and where the toy can be used. Instructions should be clear to you, and, when appropriate, to the child as well. Don't assume the child understands just because you do.
It is also a good idea to look over the construction of each toy as your children receive them. Make sure that the soft toys for the younger are well-made, with, for example, eyes and other small parts tightly secured. For infants and toddlers, be particularly suspicious of any small parts that might pulled off and put into their mouths. Likewise, long strips and cords can be dangerous for an infant, and toys with those characteristics should probably be discarded.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission suggests strongly that toys that shoot or propel objects that might injure an eye or become lodged in the throat, be discarded if necessary. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups, or other protective devices. As a parent or grandparent, you should check to make sure that the tips are securely attached to ensure that protective caps remain secure. It is also worthy to note that electronic toys with heated elements are recommended only for children over the age of eight, and only under adult supervision.
The experts also suggest that the surroundings in which toys are used be considered. Is there sufficient play area to use the toys safely and properly? Will young people be exposed to toys designed for older children? Remember that younger children in a household pose a specific risk, as they might have access to toys designed for older siblings. Both the Product Safety Commission and the Toy Manufacturers Association suggest that you sit down and spend a moment looking over the toys received by your children.
Obviously, nothing in this column of suggestions is any more than a collection of good common sense ideas. Should you have any questions concerning the safety of a specific toy or its advisability for your children, there is toll-free "toy fact sheet" hotline that you can call for further information. The number is 1-800-638-2772; or check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site at www.cpsc.gov, then click "Toy Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers." In fact, why not keep this information at hand throughout the year in case you have questions at another time? As my mother used to say to me, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
(Tom Butenhoff is a First Vice President with J. E. Liss & Company in Milwaukee. The views are his and not necessarily those of Liss Financial Services or the Job Connection/Hiring Network.)