Written by Olivia Perez, M.D. candidate with Julie Belkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., Lyse Deus, MEd, and Oneith Cadiz, M.D.
Toys are vital in the development of children. They teach problem-solving skills, sharing, motor skills, coordination, imagination, and so much more! However, the curiosity and imagination children have during development can place them at risk for choking and strangulation when playing with toys the wrong way. Starting with sensory play, very young children often pick things up and put them in their mouth. As they get older this gets more dangerous when they are mobile and can walk all around the house just looking to find the next coolest toy!
Children of all ages can suffer injuries from the toys they play with. Many of these injuries are bumps, cuts, and bruises, but some may be more harmful, such as suffocation or choking that could result in death. The following tips are easy actions you can do to keep your child safe when buying toys and when watching your child play with toys:
1. Read the warning label. It is required for all toys for ages 3-6 to have warning labels. These labels tell you for what ages the toy is safe, and why the toy is not safe for children under a certain age. It is common to see ‘choking hazard’, ‘suffocation hazard’, and even ‘fall hazard’ on labels.
2. Look for toys that are well made. Toys can easily fall apart- like a stuffed animal that loses its button for an eye, or a brick that falls off a construction set. Pieces that break off are especially hazardous to children because they are small. When this happens, kids can easily choke on the small parts.
3. Avoid marbles, small round objects, and coins. These are all choking hazards and should be kept out of reach from young children. One way to double check is to think; if the toy can fit inside an empty toilet paper roll, it is probably too small for your child.
Just like some toys can be dangerous, many household objects can also potentially injure children. Choking, suffocation, and strangulation in general is one of the top causes of death in young children.
How to keep safe spaces and safe places:
Keep cords out of reach. Laptop chargers, TV cables, phone wires, and so many other cords are common now a days all around the house. When these cords are sitting or dangling across the floor, however, curious children can easily get wrapped up in the cord. Blind cords especially are an often-missed hazard that dangerously hang down from windows and invite curiosity. Make sure these cords are rolled up and out of reach!
Watch out for long strings, ribbons, or pieces of fabric. Similar to cords, long and thin pieces of material can quickly get wrapped around a child’s neck or body. Strings can often be parts of toys or clothing that should be removed.
Make sure mealtime is safe. Not only can the size and shape of a food be dangerous but how the food is eaten is important. Children should always be sitting up, not playing or on their backs, when eating. This way the food can go straight down into the stomach where it’s supposed to go!
Get trained in CPR. CPR is lifesaving! In emergencies like suffocation and choking related incidents, CPR can help someone breathe and get oxygen to the rest of their body. CPR training courses are offered locally and virtually, and some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found here.
There are many other tips and strategies as well to avoid choking, suffocation, and strangulation. To learn more about how to prevent toy related injuries and keep a hazard free space, visit healthychildren.org or contact the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a program supported by The Children’s Trust, at 305.243.9080.