Although eye safety may not be the first thing that comes to mind when selecting toys for your child or others, it’s definitely something to consider. Eye injuries from toys are not uncommon. According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 240,000 children were treated in the emergency room due to toy injuries. About 45 percent of those injuries involved the head and face area, including the eyes. Toys should be fun and safe. The last thing you want is to see your child suffer an eye injury from a present he or she just received. In order to keep your child’s eyes and vision safe this holiday season, keep in mind potential toy hazards, high-risk toys, and eye safety. We’ll cover each below. Toy Safety HazardsVarious types of eye injuries can be the result of a hazardous or improper use of a toy. Although some injuries may be minor, others can lead to more serious eye damage, including permanent vision loss. Eye injuries from toys can include:
At first glance, a toy may seem safe, but it’s important to take a closer look and consider the potential risks. For example, does a toy have sharp edges or pointy pieces that can poke and injure an eye? Also, how the toy is used? Toys that can be aimed at others, such as water or dart guns, can quickly lead to an eye injury. It’s essential to consider the child’s age when buying and giving a gift. Young children aren’t the only ones who can sustain an eye injury from a toy. Even older kids and teens are at risk when playing with certain high-risk toys. High-Risk ToysCertain toys pose higher risks to your child’s eyes than others. The following guide doesn’t necessarily mean that each toy is off limits, but it’s important to consider your child’s and maturity level before allowing your child to have certain toys, including:
While this is not a comprehensive list of all toys that can cause eye injuries, you can use this as a general guide when selecting gifts for your child or other children. Always make sure to evaluate the individual toy to determine if it appears to have the potential to cause an eye injury. Eye-Safe Toy TipsWhen it comes to decreasing the chances of a toy leading to an eye injury, it’s useful to keep a few things in mind:
We hope you learned some good tips to keep your child’s eyes safe this holiday season and throughout the year! By choosing toys wisely, you can make the holidays merry, bright, and safe for your child and the children on your shopping list. If you have any questions about safe toys or toy safety, or if you would like to schedule an appointment to see one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600. Happy Holidays from all of us at Kadrmas Eye Care New England! Comments are closed.
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