The countdown is officially on and there are only 23 days left until Christmas! We’re sure your kids are making last minute changes to their lists to include each and every new toy and checking them twice. Considering the fact that thousands of children suffer from eye injuries every year from toys, we must take extra precautions as parents when making toy purchases.
Prevent Blindness America recently presented their toy buying safety tips for kids and we would like to share them with you. Be sure to consider these toy buying safety tips as you hit the toy stores for Christmas shopping.
Before you purchase a toy for your child:
- Read all warnings and instructions on the box.
- Ask yourself if the toy is right for your child’s ability and age.
- Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges.
- Check the lenses and frames of children’s sunglasses; many can break and cause injuries.
- Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards.
- Look for the letters “ASTM.” This means the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
- Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
- Remember that BB guns are NOT toys.
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