COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 4 -- Eleven-year-old Sean wanted a BB gun for Christmas so badly that he talked about it day and night. His parents did not think it was a good idea, but they finally gave in to his constant pleading. Unfortunately, instead of enjoying a wonderful Christmas dinner with family and friends, Sean's family spent it in the emergency room. Sean was playing with his new BB gun Christmas morning and hit his 9-year-old sister Amanda in the corner of her eye. Amanda's sight in her right eye was fine after a week, but not all kids are so lucky. Toy guns contribute to more eye injuries than any other toy category, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In 2001, close to 10,000 children under the age of 14 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for eye injuries caused by toys and sporting
equipment. The actual number of injuries may be much higher as the statistic does not include injuries treated at outpatient clinics or private doctors' offices. These injuries can result from accidents (e.g., a child tripping over a toy that is left out), unintended misuse of the toy, or an inherent flaw in the toy's design or material. While many eye injuries are sight threatening, the total number of general toy-related injuries is staggering -- an estimated 247,000 toy-related injuries in 2001.
"Prevent Blindness Ohio recommends that parents protect their child's eyes by not purchasing any toy weapons and choosing toys suited only for their child's age," said Sherry Williams, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio. Children can be very persuasive in influencing their parents, perhaps because a friend has a cool toy or they hear about the latest toy craze. "It is important that parents follow simple precautions, use sound judgement and avoid making impulsive toy-buying decisions," added Williams.
Every year billions of toys are sold in the United States and a large majority of these are sold in December. With the holiday season upon us, Prevent Blindness Ohio has the following tips on how to make it a safer one:
1. Inspect toys for safe construction. Products given to young children should be made of durable plastic or wood with no sharp edges or points.2. Toys should be able to withstand impact. Avoid purchasing toys with small parts for young children. Young children tend to put items in their mouths, increasing their risk of choking.
3. Check your children's toys regularly for broken parts. Throw broken toys out immediately if they cannot be safely repaired. Older children often alter their toys and misuse them, making them unsafe. It is better to be vigilant, even with older children, so that serious eye injuries can be prevented.
4. Read the instructions and suggested age level on the packaging. Assess whether the item is appropriate for the child's ability and age. Age labeling is provided not just for developmental reasons, but for safety reasons as well.
5. Avoid toys that shoot projectiles such as toy guns -- they contribute to a large number of serious eye injuries and can rob children of their sight. Last year, there were close to 2,000 eye injuries in children under the age of 14 caused by toy weapons, BB guns, slingshots and other propelled toys.
6. Look for the symbol ASTM F963. This indicates the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
7. Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.
8. Remain aware of recalled products. Large toy retailers post regular notices of recalled toys usually at the front of the store. Take recalled products back to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. For further information on toy and product recalls, visit the U.S. Product Safety Commission website at http://www.cpsc.gov.
Prevent Blindness Ohio is offering two free fact sheets, Tips for Choosing Safe Toys, and Most Dangerous Toys to Children's Eyes, hoping to reduce the number of toy-related eye injuries that occur among children during the holiday season and throughout the year. Consumers can request them by calling 1-800-301-2020 and leaving a mailing address.
PREVENT BLINDNESS OHIO, founded in 1957, is the only voluntary, not-for-profit Ohio organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. We serve all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to more than 300,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. We provide public information, fund research and promote early detection of vision problems. Prevent Blindness Ohio is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, the country's second oldest national voluntary health organization. For more information, or to receive our free fact sheets, call 1-800-301-2020 or visit us on the web at http://www.preventblindness.org.
