Don't buy your kids these items for Christmas, pediatricians say

Morayo Ogunbayo, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec 20, 2024

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As you stare at that long list of toys your little one wants for Christmas, be aware there are some things kids shouldn’t receive this holiday, no matter how much they want it.

In 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released its report on deaths and injuries related to toys, and found there were approximately 231,700 emergency room visits, mostly affecting children. Just last year, at least 10 children under 14 died in toy-related incidents.

No toy is 100% safe, but some carry more danger than others. Doctors who work in emergency medicine, particularly with children, listed their top toys that shouldn’t be under the Christmas tree this year.

Button or coin batteries

Many modern toys use small, disk-shaped batteries or lithium coin batteries to power them.

These batteries are a choking hazard and can cause life-threatening injuries in the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract, pediatricians told Today.com, including pediatric surgeon Dr. Shawn Stafford, who said these batteries are “extremely dangerous.”

E-scooters and hoverboards

Every year around the holidays, we are treated to social media videos of families clumsily getting acquainted with new e-scooters or hoverboards. These videos make us laugh, but the reality can be much more dangerous.

Pediatric emergency physician Dr. Meghan Martin told Today.com she has treated countless children for injuries from these machines, even treating seven hoverboard injuries in one Christmas morning.

If you plan to purchase one of these for a family member anyway, be sure to use the right safety gear, which includes a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards.

Toys with small parts

For parents of small children, particularly under 5, staying away from toys with small parts is imperative.

According to the CPSC, half of all toy-related deaths in children last year were caused by choking or asphyxiation after ingesting a small part.

“One thing I tell parents is never give a child 3 years or younger anything that is smaller or fits through a toilet roll tube,” Safford said.

Trampolines

Trampolines bring fun to the back yard. However, they also come with the promise of many possible injuries.

“We see a lot of forearm injuries, leg injuries and other injuries,” Martin said, adding these include broken bones, sprains, lacerations, concussions and spinal cord injuries.

If a trampoline is already in your gift plan this year, opt for one enclosed in a safety net or even spring for an in-ground version. Whatever you plan to do, make sure a parent is always supervising and monitoring how many people are on at once.

Knockoffs

Christmas can be expensive, and it can be a stretch to get name-brand versions of every toy your child wants. However, when looking for an alternative, watch out for knockoffs that don’t pass safety standards.

According to Today, toys that have properly met federal safety standards will have a small “ASTM” somewhere on its package or box. ASTM stands for American Society of Testing and Materials.

When purchasing toys online, make sure to be extra diligent or you risk bringing toys into your home that contain lead paint, toxic chemicals or excess loose parts.

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