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Product Hazards
Toys
Toys are meant to provide joy and entertainment, yet they are linked to all-too-many
injuries. Toys consistently represent the largest category of children's products recalled by the CPSC each year.
In 2006, there were 62 toy recalls
involving over 17 million recalled units. Children ages 4 and under are at especially high risk.
While falls and choking
account for the majority of these deaths and injuries, children also suffer from strangulation,
burns, drowning and poisoning while playing with toys.
Recent large recalls highlight the danger of toys sold before they are tested for safety. Lead on toys made in China, along with other hazards, have
parents and caregivers worried about keeping their children safe. Check your toys often for recalls and have your child tested at least once a year for lead
poisoning.
Toy Tips to Keep Kids Safe
Read and follow the age label, warnings, safety messages and assembly instructions for the toy.
Age guidelines are most often for safety reasons and should not be ignored even if your child
seems advanced for her age.
Check toys often for hazards like loose parts, broken pieces or sharp edges, and repair or discard
any weak or broken toys. Report any hazards to the manufacturer
and the CPSC.
Avoid cheap metal or painted jewelry for children who may still mouth objects-it may contain lead,
and ingesting even small amounts of lead can be harmful to a child's health and development.
Magnets emerged as a serious issue in 2006, after the death of a 20-month-old boy prompted major recalls
Toys with magnetic parts, like the magnetix building set pictured below, have become very popular toys. However, the tiny magnets can fall out
and be ingested. When more than one is swallowed, they can attract, causing intestinal perforation, infection, and potentially fatal injuries.
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