What are some toy shopping safety tips to remember this holiday season when selecting children’s gifts?
- Pick the right toy for the child’s age and developmental ability;
- When you are buying for children under 3, make sure the toy has no small pieces small enough to fit in a toilet paper roll (i.e. – anything smaller than 1.5 inches).
- Buy a helmet with a riding toy.
- Avoid small parts, strings, sharp edges and balloons;
- Sign up to receive product safety recalls at recalls.gov or safekids.org.
How many children suffer toy-related injuries serious enough to send them to the emergency room every hour?
Every hour approximately 18 children in the U.S. suffer toy-related injuries serious enough to send them to the emergency room, according to a recently published study. That’s the equivalent of one child being injured every three minutes.
What are considered to be the most dangerous toys?
Foot-powered scooters and other riding toys produced the greatest amount of injuries, according to a recent study. Wagons, tricycles and motor-powered children’s vehicles are responsible for a growing number of injuries that resulted in visits to the emergency room. Between 1990 and 2011, ride-on toys accounted for 35 percent of injuries and 43 percent of hospital admissions among children under the age of 18.
What were the most common injuries sustained from defective toys?
Injuries sustained from these toys included: broken bones, cuts that required stitches and concussions. Other common injuries include:
- Electrical shock
- Lead poisoning
- Choking on small parts
What are some steps parents can take to prevent these type injuries?
To prevent injuries, parents should make sure children ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding a scooter or other ride-on toys. An injury to the brain can have life-long consequences and permanent effects on your child. For children under the age of two, choking, ingestion and asphyxiation are the biggest risk of injury and death. Read packaging carefully to ensure toys are age-appropriate for the intended recipient.
What compensation is available to those injured by dangerous or defective toys?
If your child suffered injury due to a dangerous or defective toy, your child and family may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, future medical expenses, loss of wages and a settlement for pain and suffering. Punitive damages are available if the manufacturer of the toy was extremely negligent.
Can I afford to hire a lawyer if my child is injured by a dangerous or defective toy this holiday season?
At the Law Firm of Michael T. Gibson, P.A. you will not pay us anything until we receive a settlement on your behalf. There are never any upfront fees for our legal services.