This year’s holiday season is arriving soon! Some parents might have started their toy shopping for the kids and some parents might have planned it already. In this special time of the year, all the parents should be reminded of their children’s safety. Every year, over 250,000 children are getting treated at hospitals for injuries related to toys, so it’s definitely important for parents to be aware about what is and isn’t safe for their kids.

A majority of these toy-related injuries are found to be affecting children under 15 years, and it’s also to be noted that most of these injuries are preventable. So, during this “Safe Toys and Gifts Month,” parents are encouraged to be aware of the importance of safer gifts for their children.

Go for Age-Specific Toys:

Some parents would tend to think that getting their children the toys that are not meant for their age is absolutely fine. While shopkeepers would be so vigilant in letting them know if the chosen toys are meant for a different age group, parents seem to be okay with their selection. As parents, it’s important for the people to understand that the toys are age specified for safety reasons. Following the same trend during the purchase will avoid a lot of frustration and undesirability that may arise in the future. Several toys that are graded for older children will contain small pieces that could be swallowed by younger children. Also, toys for older children would often need responsible handling, which can’t be expected in some younger children.

Learn what’s happening around:

Being a parent, it’s always important to be responsible for their child’s safety. As such, he or she should be aware of what’s happening around. In this line, it is recommended that the parents should have a good idea on the consumer watchdog sites to know which toys were recalled during the recent times. Being knowledgeable in these things will help prevent making a wrong purchase for their child. Today, several consumers, as well as government bodies are sending free e-mails to parents’ inboxes about toy recalls. So, checking your e-mail frequently and getting to know the news is also a good thing to do. Being a good parent will also need continuous learning.

Reading the labels thoroughly:

Each and every toy will have a set of warnings, as well as a set safety precautions. Reading these thoroughly would give a better idea about the suitability of the toy for the children. These things would also inform them about the safety issues, if any, with the toy. All that is required is some kind of contextual thinking and the knowledge about the children. Sometimes, a particular toy is suitable only for the quiet and sensible child. In such cases, guessing how their own children will handle that toy is also important for the parents.

Apart from these, there are a few other things that need the parent attention while buying a toy for his or her child. They are:

• Small pieces
• Fire hazards
• Adult supervision
• Sharp edges
• Fake food
• Toxic items

Reading and Understanding the Instructions:

While it’s important to read the warnings and safety precautions, it’s equally important to read and understand the instructions as well. As parents, people have to read them thoroughly and be clear with them. If the instructions are not clear and if the retailer is not able to help in this, it is advisable to place the toy on the shelf and start looking for another item. It would also make sense to write to the manufacturer to gain more clarity on the safety of the toy. Be sure to read all the tags that come along with the stuffed animals. Also, examine the images on the boxes. It will give a better idea about the suitability of the toy to the particular age group.

Examine the gifts before giving:

Parents are also advised to examine all their gifts before giving them to their children, especially if they are from someone outside the family or neighbors. If the item is found to be unsafe in any way, it’s important to distract the child with another item. With such gifts, the parents can always try to find a remedy to make it safe for their children or try to replace it with another item permanently. Children can be adamant in these things, but, they can be told that the toy needs repair. In such situations, distractions can be the best things to do.

Final Thoughts:

By taking proper precautions, parents can always save their children from undesired accidents. As parents, it’s the duty of each and every individual to protect their children from harm. However, one can achieve this goal by following these simple tips!