Toy safety is a major concern for parents. Reports of toys being recalled due to safety issues occur all too frequently. Only recently it was reported that Toys R Us recalled “Journey Girl Travel Trunks” because of the danger of laceration. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the store received reports of six incidents involving the trunk handle, including a report of one person who required stitches due to laceration.
It was in large part because of concerns regarding the safety of children’s products that Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Among other things, this act increased the funding for the CPSC, banned or set limits on the use of certain substances, such as lead, in children’s products and imposed testing and documentation requirements.
Common injuries
The CPSC reports that for the year 2011, it received 13 reports of toy-related deaths. The most common cause of death was asphyxiation followed by drowning. In addition, for that same year there were an estimated 262,300 toy-related injuries that required treatment in an emergency department. Common injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Contusions/abrasions
- Strains/sprains
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Puncture injuries
- Ingestion
- Dislocation
- Concussion
Injuries can occur even when a toy is not inherently unsafe. So what can you do to reduce the risk of your child being hurt?
Toy safety tips
Here are some tips to help you improve toy safety:
- Regularly check the CPSC website to see if a toy you have has been recalled
- Watch out for choking hazards and choose larger toys, especially for children under three years of age
- Read and obey warnings and instructions, including age recommendations
- Make sure toys are in good condition
- Supervise children while they play
- Watch out for toys that contain small magnets
- Remove the packaging
- Beware of strangulation hazards, such as toys with long strings or cords
- Beware of toxic substances such as phthalates, cadmium and lead
- Report a dangerous toy to the CPSC
Toy manufacturers are required to ensure that their products are safe and to warn about proper use. If your child was injured by a toy, the manufacturer may be liable. Contact an experienced Clarksville personal injury attorney at the Kennedy Law Firm as soon as you can.