Health
Live Well: Toy Safety
By |
Hello again!
Been shopping lately? If it was at any retail outlet, it’s a good bet the place was already decked out for Christmas! Like it or not, it seems like stores are rolling out holiday merchandise earlier and earlier…and, just as I begin to grouse about it guess what I learn? My wife is one of the first in line getting an early start on toys for the grandkids. So, in the spirit of, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”, this week’s LiveWELL column is about making sure the toys you get the kids on your Christmas list are safe.
Whatever the toy, the questions are the same. Is the toy I’m buying age appropriate for the child? What do I need to do to be sure a child doesn't get hurt playing with it? Experts say it's about looking at toys with a critical eye and being informed about potential risks. Statistics show the majority of toy-related injuries are linked to small objects that can be put in the mouth. Small rubber balls, balloons, dice or any part that can be broken off and swallowed poses a very real choking risk for children under three.
For older kids, statistics show a lot of injuries are linked to toys they can ride. Bikes, skateboards and scooters are among the top offenders. The best bet when you’re buying a toy like that is to make sure you also purchase the appropriate safety equipment. A helmet and knee and elbow pads are pretty basic accessories.
While I was at WAFB, I did a lot of stories on the risk of repetitive use injuries among kids who can’t seem to break-away from the latest video games. Things haven’t changed. In fact, the latest video games are more sophisticated and enticing than ever. Kids, especially teenagers, can sit and play them for hours. Certified Athletic Trainer Erik Strahan, DPT says that can lead to painful, tendonitis of the thumb or wrist. His advice for avoiding the problem is to take breaks. Strahan tells parents and kids who come into the clinic to play no more than an hour of video games at a time. Of course, that also helps reduce the risk of eye strain.
To make sure the toys that you’re buying for kids on your Christmas list are safe, go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Toy Safety web site. The address is http://www.cpsc.gov/en/safety-education/safety-guides/toys/. You can even sign up to receive regular e-mail alerts about toy recalls. As my daddy used to say, “It's better to be safe than sorry.”
Phil Rainier is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Central Physical Therapy. His e-mail address is [email protected].
0 comments