Parents and caregivers are heading into the country’s busiest
toy-buying season. During this holiday season, Safe & Sound, an injury prevention service of T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, reminds parents to do their homework before hitting the toy stores.

Each year, approximately 173,000 toy-related injuries are treated in
hospital emergency rooms nationwide. Furthermore, 19 toy-related
deaths occurred in 2008. “Shoppers need to be even more informed than
usual to make certain they buy safe, age-appropriate toys,” explained
Cindy Jackson, Safe & Sound program lead. “Even though most toys on
the shelves are considered safe, it doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t
take an active role in keeping their kids protected from possible
hazards.”

So far this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
has had 38 total toy recalls, which is a decline from 162 recalls last
year. CPSC attributes this decrease to enforcement at the ports,
cooperation with other nations, consumer awareness and education and
compliance by the industry with new federal safety rules.

During a recent press conference at Learning Express of Chattanooga,
Safe & Sound demonstrated the importance of selecting age appropriate toys. “Before shopping for toys this season, consider the child’s age, interest and skill level,” announced Mrs. Jackson. “Not only is it important to purchase safe toys, parents should also supervise
children when they play and set good examples of safe play.”

Safe & Sound reminds parents that approximately 40 percent of all toy-related injuries involve riding toys. Shoppers need to remember that no riding toy is complete without a helmet and protective gear.

“While a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries, there are no safety devices that adequately protect against other injuries commonly
sustained while riding ATVs,” said Marisa Moyers, pediatric trauma
outreach coordinator at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital. “Accordingly, Safe & Sound strongly recommends that children under the age of 16 should never ride on or operate ATVs of any size.”

Safe & Sound also recommends the following:

Make sure to buy age-appropriate toys- All toys are clearly marked if
they have small parts. Follow the recommendations on the packaging
carefully and do not allow children under age 3 to play with toys
belonging to an older sibling.

Inspect toys closely- Identify dangerous small parts that could pose
as a choking hazard and do not let young children play with toys that
have straps, cords or strings longer than seven inches, due to the risk of strangulation.

Actively supervise your children- Caregivers should take an active
role while children are playing with any toy that has small parts, moving parts, electrical or battery power, cords, wheels or any other potentially risky component.

Practice proper storage- Teach children to put toys away after playing to help prevent falls and unsupervised play. Also make sure toys
intended for younger children are stored separately from those
purchased for older children.

Toy chests should be equipped or
retrofitted with safety hinges that prevent the lid from closing on a
child who is leaning over the open chest. If a chest does not have
safety hinges, remove the lid.

To stay informed, Safe & Sound recommends that parents sign up for
emails that will keep them up-to-date on toy recalls. To sign up for
these notifications, visit www.cpsc.gove and click on sign up for
email announcements. Parents can also visit www.toysafety.org or
www.uspirg.org to find information on the latest recalls and warnings.

For more information about toy safety, protective equipment and
choking hazards, visit www.wsa.safekids.org or contact Safe & Sound at 423 778-6691.