Some Kids Toys Can Cause Serious Harm

Over the last two years or so, a number of toys have been recalled for dangerously high amounts of lead paint or because they pose laceration, fall or choking dangers. However, you'd be surprised that a lot of these toys still sit on shelves where you are likely to be shopping, as we speak! As relatives, it is extremely important that we remain vigilant during shopping trips. Dangerous and defective toys may still be found at second-hand stores and at retail outlets. That said, these are not the only toys that endanger your child's well-being. Other toys that are normally considered "non-threatening" can still pose dangers to small children, especially when they are not age-appropriate.

In 2008 there were well over 200,000 injuries, caused by toys, treated at emergency medical centers in the US. Also during 2008, 19 children under 15 years old died in toy related accidents. Many of these incidents involved contusions, cuts, injures to the face and head. Many of these incidents could have been avoided had the toys themselves not been purchased. To make this easier for the parents here's a list of things to lookout for to help prevent both minor and major injures.

- Be sure to read all of the manufacturers warnings and instructions. If you read these and see there's a long list of warnings or it mentions "serious injures" avoid purchasing that toy. It's just not worth it.

- If the child is under the age of 8 don't purchase a toy for them that has sharp edges, contains a battery that could be swallowed. It's also important to make sure there's not some sort of heating element in the toy that could cause burns.

- If you have really young children, please do not buy toys with loose parts that can be swallowed and cause choking hazards. A good test is to twist and pull small parts to see if they come loose. Some small parts are simply not put on properly and can come free very easily.

- Once you've chosen the perfect toy and you take it home and unwrap it make sure to throw away all of the plastic wrappings properly. Plastic bag and cellophane can cling to the face and should your little one play with it they could risk suffocation.

- Stay away from toys with small magnets if you are purchasing for a child under the age of 8. The magnets can fall of and then your child may swallow them, which can be fatal. The reason they are so dangerous is because you can't tell from the symptoms that your child has sustained a fatal injury.

- Brightly painted toys are also a warning sign that you should stay away. They look shiny and attractive, but many of the paints that are used to treat a toy like this have excessive amounts of lead in the paint. In 2009 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the removal of 14 different toys due to dangerous levels of lead. The ingestion of lead can lead to cognitive issues in your child or even brain damage.