Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on December 13, 2011
As the holiday season gets closer, parents from all over are making their shopping lists in hopes of making a memorable holiday for their youngsters. And while the children may know what toys are the most popular, they do not typically consider which ones can potentially be dangerous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 250,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospitals in 2010; most of those injured were kids under age 15. During this holiday season, our eye care professionals would like to remind parents about the dangers that toys can pose to their children’s eyes and also offer five tips on how to choose safe toys for gift giving.
1. Avoid buying toys with sharp or projectile parts.
2. Make sure someone is always supervising young ones if they are playing with a toy that could potentially cause an eye-related injury.
3. Always provide protective eye wear with polycarbonate lenses if you plan on giving sports equipment as a gift. You can check with your local eye doctor to learn more about the appropriate protective eye gear for your child’s sport.
4. Always check labels for age recommendations and make certain you choose gifts that are appropriate for that child’s age.
5. Lastly, look for toys that are marked with ASTM, which means that they meet safety standards by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
It is really important to follow these 5 easy steps when deciding what to buy your children this year and how to keep their eye health intact after they’ve opened their presents. The best way to prevent toy-related injuries is to simply be aware of what you’re putting in your children’s hands.
