Each year, as many as a quarter of a million kids are seen in emergency rooms across the United States after being injured by their toys. At least one-third of them are 5-years-old or younger.
While most toys on the market are safe, they’re not appropriate for kids of just any age. There are some important steps that parents can take to minimize the chances of their child being hurt or killed by them, though.
One thing parents should do before buying a toy for their child is to read the product’s label. It’s there that toy makers are required to list the ages that it’s most appropriate for, how it should played with it, whether it’s manufactured using toxic paints and whether it contains small parts that may pose a choking hazard. Since all of your kids will likely come in contact with the toy, you should make sure that it’s safe for all of them.
Before you purchase a toy, you should first inspect it. If it has any strings or ribbons attached to it, then you may want to steer clear from buying it as it could potentially strangle them.
You should also avoid toys with buttons or that use watch-like batteries. Nearly 3,000 U.S. children end up being seen in emergency rooms each year after swallowing batteries. They have the potential of corroding inside the human body, which can cause organ damage.
Finally, if you’re considering purchasing a skateboard, bicycle or scooter for your child, then you should also pick up a helmet. This will protect them from suffering potentially deadly head or brain injuries.
When a product such as a toy is released on the market, manufacturers generally have tested the item to make sure that it’s reasonably safe if used as intended. Marketers are supposed to label an item to advise customers of any potential risks associated with using it. Sometimes, it poses unforeseen dangers or is inadequately labeled, though.
Fortunately, the law protects consumers who use a product in a reasonable fashion for its intended purpose. In serious injury cases, it can be reassuring to have a New Haven products liability attorney who genuinely cares about your personal, ongoing success in helping you to file a claim.
