‘Tis the season when gift giving is (almost) as much fun as receiving, and because it’s Safe Toys and Celebration Month, let’s do our best to make sure that the gifts our children SEE on Christmas and Hanukkah are safe and fun for them all year long.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 252,000 toy-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2014, and almost half of those affected the head or face. The commission reports that 1 in 10 of those children’s eye injuries treated in the ER trace back to toys. Some propelling toys like paintball guns and darts have the potential to cause serious eye injuries and even permanent vision loss.
When choosing a toy for a child consider these Top Toy Safety Tips:
- Avoid toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts that could end up in their eyes.
- Make sure children are supervised by an adult when playing with toys or games that could cause an injury, especially to the eyes.
- Always provide children with the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses if recommended by the manufacturer of the toy or sporting equipment. Click here to learn which protective eyewear is recommended for your child’s sport.
- Keep toys made for older children away from younger children, who may accidentally hurt themselves, or suffer an injury to their eyes or face.
If your child does experience an eye injury during playtime, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist or medical eye doctor.
