The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) latest report on toy-related deaths and injuries reveals that in 2023, an estimated 154,700 children aged 12 and under were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries, and tragically, 10 children lost their lives in toy-related incidents. With the holiday season upon us, it is essential for parents and caregivers to understand the risks associated with certain toys and take proactive steps to ensure their children’s safety.
Leading Causes of Toy-Related Deaths
The CPSC report reveals that the majority of toy-related deaths were linked to the following specific hazards:
- Choking on small balls or crayons
- Drownings linked to flotation toys
- Entrapment inside a toy chest
- Ingestion of water beads
Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers
To help reduce the risk of toy-related injuries and fatalities, especially during the holiday season when new toys are often introduced, the CPSC offers several key safety recommendations:
- Follow Age Recommendations: Always pay attention to the age guidance and safety information provided on toy packaging. Choose toys that are appropriate for the child’s developmental stage and abilities to minimize risks. This is particularly important during the holiday season when children may receive a variety of new toys, some of which may not be suitable for their age.
- Use Protective Gear: When children play with riding toys, bikes, or scooters, ensure that they wear the proper safety gear, including helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads. It’s important to make sure children consistently use this gear during every ride.
- Keep Small Toys Away from Young Children: Small balls, toys with small parts, and deflated or broken balloons are choking hazards for children under 3 years old. Keep these items out of reach and ensure that children are supervised during play.
- Dispose of Packaging Safely: After opening toy gifts, promptly discard any plastic wrapping, packaging materials, or small parts that could become a suffocation hazard.
- Supervise Water Play: Be extra cautious when allowing young children to play with flotation devices or in pools. Never leave a child unattended in or around water, even if they are using a flotation toy.
By adhering to these guidelines and choosing safe, age-appropriate toys, parents and caregivers can significantly reduce the likelihood of toy-related injuries.
Contact an Experienced Product Liability Lawyer
If your child has been injured by a children’s product, it’s important to take action. Our product liability attorneys have decades of collective experience challenging corporations and manufacturers to do better for their customers and take responsibility for their mistakes.
If you have a potential product liability case you would like to discuss, call our main office line at 800.273.5005 or email our attorneys at attorneys@glpattorneys.com to schedule a free lawyer consultation.