Some Toys may be hazardous to your children's health.
The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is warning parents to be on the look out for substandard toys that could send their children to the emergency room or to an early grave if they are not vigilant.
Christmas is the greatest time for children to get their favourite toy but sometimes it is not the best idea for parents to give them what they want. There are some toys on the market that have slipped through the standard checks and have found their way to the shelves of the retail stores. However, the majority of these toys may be the same as to those that the CAC dubs "child-killers" for various reasons.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published the top toy hazards that parents and friends should look for that could cause injury and even death to their loved ones.
Here are CPSC's Top Safe Shopping Tips for 2006:
Magnets - For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
Small parts - For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
Ride-on toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
Projectile toys - Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
Chargers and adapters - Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
CPSC also recommends using the following tips to help choose appropriate toys for children:
Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
For all children under eight, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Once the gifts are open:
Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbours.
Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.
warning to parent
Although the local authorities do not track toy-related deaths in children, the U.S. agency is warning parents who are traveling abroad or shopping locally. CPSC has reports of 20 toy-related deaths involving children under age 15 that occurred in 2005. Nine of these deaths occurred when a child choked or aspirated on a small ball or other toy parts. Also in 2005, an estimated 152,400 children under 15 years old were treated for toy-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The majority of these injuries were not the result of a recalled or dangerous product. Instead, injuries from riding toys such as falls, made up a significant number.
Consumers who have already purchased gifts should make sure they check that their gift lists do not include any of the recalled toys or children's products on CPSC's website.
The CAC is encouraging parents with access to the internet to check the CPSC website for an extensive recall list and the CAC www.consumeraffairsjamaica.gov.jm for a limited list of the more popular and familiar toys. Shop wisely and have a merry Christmas.
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