With the gift-giving seasons of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, December is the ideal time for Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Created by consumer group Prevent Blindness Texas to encourage thoughtful consideration of the holiday toys and gifts, the group suggests that people should more thoughtfully consider the age and individual skills of the child to receive the gift, especially for infants and children under age three.
Kids Safe Worldwide, a leading safety advocacy organization, provides four tips to making sure toy-related holiday gift is safe and appropriate for children.
- Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game.
- Check to make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards.
- Keep a special eye on small game pieces that may be a choking hazard for young children. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings.
- After play time is over, use a bin or container to store toys for next time. Make sure there are no holes or hinges that could catch little fingers.