By Nuvance Health Family Medicine
11/30/2022
Don’t be like the mom and dad from “A Christmas Story.” Here are a few toy-safety tips that will prevent urgent and emergency medical care:
- Supervise riding toys. These are the most notorious when it comes to toy-related injuries. If Santa’s sleigh had a new ride-on car (like a Power Wheel) or foot-powered scooter for your little girl or boy, keep them away from streets, pools and stairs.
- Notice small parts. Children explore their surroundings by putting things into their mouths. This can lead to choking. Become familiar with the size of a small part or toy ball. A small part is less than 1.25 inches across and up to 2.25 inches long. Here is something else. Not all toys are properly labeled with warnings.
- Inspect batteries closely. Duct tape any battery compartment closed that isn’t childproof. The National Capital Poison Center warns that button batteries can be fatal if swallowed.
- Protect your child’s vision. Eye injuries are on the rise, stemming from toys that use projectiles. If your child must have the latest foam blaster, consider gifting a superhero mask that covers the eyes. If you plan on purchasing a drone, consider one with safety mechanisms and keep them away from young children. Those propellers turn into spinning blades and would not make a for a comical Christmas movie plot.
Nuvance Health Medical Practices offers primary, pediatric and family medicine in the mid-Hudson Valley and western Connecticut. You can search for a doctor near you here or learn more about primary care here.