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December Health Article 2023
Seasons greeting everyone,
The holidays are officially here, and the shopping has begun. As we embark upon this holiday season, let’s work together to make it a time of having a love, joy, and peace.
Did you know that the month of December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. This is the time of year that everyone that is shopping for toys and other gifts look for the best bargains during gift buying. Toy makers around the world are making toys and shipping them out to consumers to all major ports. There is a department called the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that has a vigorous safety system in place to find toys and have them tested in laboratories across the world. The goal is to stop the distribution of unsafe toys. Some toys are so dangerous that they have contributed to the death of children around the world.
As you shop for toys and gifts this holiday season, keep safety at the forefront of your buying. Below are some safety tips to keep in mind when shopping for safe, age-appropriate toys.
Balloons
Children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than eight years old. Discard broken balloons immediately.
Small balls and other toys with small parts
For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
Scooters and other riding toys
Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be always worn properly, and they should be sized to fit.
Magnets
High-powered magnet sets are dangerous and should be kept away from children. Whether marketed for children or adults, building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.
Once gifts are open:
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Immediately discard plastic wrapping or other toy packaging before the wrapping and packaging become dangerous playthings.
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Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.
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Battery charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any mechanism to prevent overcharging.
Toy Safety Guides
The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) provides free safety alerts, guides, posters, brochures, handbooks, and other materials which you can use to help spread consumer product safety information in your community.
https://child-familyservices.org/december-is-national-safe-toys-and-gifts-month/