A Parent’s Guide to Toy Safety This Holiday Season
The holidays bring piles of new toys — and unfortunately, a predictable spike in toy-related injuries. Each year, emergency rooms treat hundreds of thousands of children for toy-related incidents. Most are preventable with a few minutes of attention before the gift is opened.
Age-Appropriate Toy Selection
Age labels on packaging are not just marketing — they reflect safety testing. The primary concern for children under 3 is choking. A toy or toy component is a choking hazard if it can fit entirely inside a 35mm film canister (or through a toilet paper roll). This includes batteries, magnets, small balls, marbles, and detachable doll accessories.
- Under 3 years: avoid marbles, small balls, toys with removable small parts, balloons, and coin-sized batteries
- Ages 3–5: watch for sharp edges, long cords or strings over 12 inches, and projectile toys
- Ages 6+: assess for appropriate use instructions and ensure children understand safe use
Specific Hazards to Watch For
Button (Coin) Batteries
Button batteries are one of the most dangerous household hazards for young children. If swallowed, they can cause severe internal burns within 2 hours. Keep devices with battery compartments away from young children and go to the ER immediately if ingestion is suspected — don’t wait for symptoms.
Strong Magnets
High-powered magnet sets marketed to adults are dangerous when accessible to children. If multiple magnets are swallowed, they can attract across intestinal walls and cause perforations requiring surgery.
Ride-On Toys
Always pair ride-on toys, bikes, and scooters with properly fitted helmets. Head injuries from falls are the leading cause of toy-related deaths.
After the Presents Are Opened
Supervise first use of new toys, discard all packaging immediately (plastic bags, twist ties, and staples are hazards), and register toys with the manufacturer to receive recall notifications.
Questions about child safety? Our team is happy to help at your child’s next well-child visit. Call (702) 457-5437.
