Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Injuries from defective toys have decreased in 2011 as compared to 2010 and 2009, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). However, over 150,000 children still visited U.S. emergency rooms in 2011 with toy-related injuries. To help protect the children you love from injuries and keep their holidays safe and happy, keep the following toy-safety tips from the CPSC in mind when you’re buying, wrapping, or giving gifts to protect your child’s safety:

• Keep deflated balloons away from children under age 8, and throw away broken balloons immediately. Most of the 17 toy-related deaths suffered in 2010 were caused by choking, often on balloons or pieces of balloons.
• Keep small toys and toy parts away from children under age 3. Read and follow the age recommendations on toys, and give toddlers toys that have no small parts.
• Put helmets and pads on children who will be riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or other toys with wheels. Helmets and pads should fit properly, and should be a required part of playing with their new wheeled gear.
• Avoid giving magnets or toys with magnetized parts to children under age 6. Serious injuries can occur if these are swallowed.
• Throw away all toy packaging as soon as a toy is opened. For toys like action figures, fashion dolls, and play sets, help children open them to avoid injuries - these are often attached to the packaging with plastic ties or other fasteners that can be dangerous.

Even a few moments of thought about toy safety can mean the difference between a happy holiday and a tragic one. If you or someone you love is injured by a defective toy or gift this season, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at (314) 322-8515.