Here are some useful tips, from a los angeles accident lawyer, to help prevent such injuries – major or minor – not only this holiday season, but year-round:
1. Please read the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings. If a toy warns about “serious injuries” or has too many warnings, just stay away from that toy. It’s not worth it.
2. Do not give children under 8 years of age toys that have sharp edges, have batteries that can be swallowed or have heating elements that can cause burn injuries.
3. If you have small children, please do not buy toys with small parts that can be swallowed and cause choking hazards. If necessary, twist and pull small parts to see if they come off. Some small parts are simply not properly attached the way they should be.
4. After you open a toy, immediately dispose of the plastic wrappings, which can cause suffocation or choking.
5. If your child is younger than 8, please do not give him or her toys that contain small magnets. These can come off and be ingested by young children and could even be fatal. These tiny magnets are extremely dangerous because you can’t even tell from the symptoms that your child has suffered a fatal injury.
6. Beware of bright-colored toys! They may look shiny and attractive, but those qualities may come from excessive lead paint. In 2009 alone, CPSC ordered the removal of 14 types of toys due to high lead counts. Ingesting lead could lead to cognitive issues and even brain damage in children.