Keep the holiday season merry with toy safety tips from a pediatrician

From November to January, families across the United States celebrate more than a dozen holidays. While the season is filled with traditions and togetherness, it also brings an increase in toy-related injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s latest report, an estimated 154,700 children aged 12 and under were treated in emergency departments for toy-related injuries in 2023, and 10 children died from toy-related incidents.

With the developmental timeline of children in mind, and a desire to enjoy a peaceful holiday season, it is important for caregivers to be informed while purchasing gifts for any child. To help caregivers choose safe gifts this season, the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics’ Safety Store created a downloadable Toy Safety Tips guide, available on the Safety Store website.

What pediatricians want you to know

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends choosing toys that match a child’s developmental skills while supporting new growth. Alyssa D. Swick, MD, division chief of general pediatrics and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine, offers additional tips to help families avoid an unexpected emergency room visit this holiday season.

Question: What are some of the most common toy-related injuries or safety issues you see during the holiday season?

Alyssa Swick: Ride on toys with wheels, like skateboards or scooters, are the most common toys that lead to emergency room visits. Injuries can be prevented by using protective pads and helmets each time a child uses these items! Consider including a helmet and pads alongside these types of gifts to keep safety as a priority.

Injuries from choking or ingestion of unsafe substances like poisons or button batteries are also common. Choosing toys that are age and size appropriate (think big to reduce choking!) can limit risk. Projectiles or explosives may cause eye or skin injuries. More minor injuries like cuts can occur with sharp plastic from broken toys.

Q: When parents or family members are shopping for toys, what should they look for on packaging or labels to ensure a toy is age-appropriate and safe?

Swick:

• Do: Read the label for any toy you are considering buying. Each toy should have appropriate ages listed.
• Do: Check toys for young children for any choking risk — a good rule of thumb is that they should not have parts that are smaller than the child's mouth.
• Do: Check toys for sturdiness.
• Do: If choosing a toy that makes noise, look for those that emit less than 75 decibels.
• Do: Look for the label "UL" to ensure toys have undergone rigorous testing standards. 
• Do: Carefully consider toys that shoot projectiles or may explode, like rocket launchers or chemistry sets, and if purchasing these ensure children are supervised and taught to use these as safely as possible.

• Don’t: Purchase toys for young children that are meant for older children. 
• Don’t: Purchase toys for small children, especially infants, that could strangle or suffocate a child. Like those with loose ribbons or small pellets and remember that no toys should be placed in an infant's crib.
• Don’t: Purchase toys with thin plastic that may break into shards.

Q: Battery-operated and electronic toys are especially popular; what should families know about button batteries or small magnets and their risks?

Swick: Button batteries can be deadly when ingested, as they can cause erosion in a child's esophagus in as little as two hours. Avoid toys or other electronics with button batteries whenever possible! If a toy has button batteries that are easily accessible to a child, consider choosing an alternative. Toys with easy to open battery compartments, or flimsy compartments, are especially dangerous. If your child has ingested a button battery, seek emergency care immediately.

Magnets can also be dangerous to children when ingested, which might not always be witnessed. In the U.S., there are regulations on toys meant for children under age 14, but items meant for adults or older children may still have magnets that can cause harm if swallowed. Check age regulations on any toys and carefully monitor gifts meant for older children and adults to ensure safety.

Q: How can parents balance wanting to give exciting or trendy gifts while keeping their child’s safety top of mind?

Swick: Safety should always be the number one priority. If your child is insistent on a trendy toy that you are concerned is not safe for them, look for a similarly themed toy that is more age appropriate, or save that gift for another year.

Q: What role does supervision or environment play in toy safety after the gift is opened?

Swick: Parents should always supervise play with new toys. If you are in a busy setting, it may be hard to monitor small, unsafe pieces or items that may not be age appropriate. Even during the excitement of unwrapping presents or a chaotic family gathering, take the time to supervise your child closely with a new toy, or wait until you are in a calmer environment to open the new item. Supervision is especially important for younger siblings who may access parts from older children’s toys.

Q: What about secondhand toys or hand-me-downs? Are there specific red flags to check for before giving them to a child?

Swick: Older toys especially may be less likely to meet modern-day safety standards, such as those for magnets or paint. If your child receives a hand-me-down or you purchase a secondhand toy, check with CPSC.gov to ensure that there have not been any recalls or prior safety concerns. Remember that lead paint may be present on passed down heirloom items that were made prior to 1978. Always check to make sure toys are not missing parts or hardware.

Q: If a child does experience a toy-related injury or accident, what steps should parents take immediately, and when should they seek medical care?

Swick: Families should always seek care for their child emergently if they are having trouble breathing, not acting themselves, have a severe injury, or if they have swallowed a button battery. If you are concerned that your child has ingested a poison, if they are stable, you can check with poison control to determine next steps (1-800-222-1222). If your child has a toy-related injury or accident that is milder, check with your pediatrician to see if they need to be seen right away, or if you are safe to monitor them at home and provide first aid. If you’re concerned a child may have ingested a button battery, seek emergency care immediately — do not wait for symptoms.

As families gear up for the joy of holiday gift-giving, keeping safety at the forefront helps ensure the season stays merry. For more guidance, download the Safety Store’s full Toy Safety Tips resource or visit the Safety Store for expert-recommended, age-appropriate toys and safety products.