Here is one of many articles The Creativity
Institute has reviewed and reprinted on nurturing and boosting
creativity in children. Among the articles you'll find on this
site are those that demonstrate the importance of creative environments
at early ages and the power of the right educational toys.
Baby Toy Safety
by Robin Darch
Buying toys for your baby is about more than
just what will entertain them. You have to make sure that you
buy toys for your baby that are safe. There are a lot of toys
out there that are unsafe for babies. This article will explore
some of the things you need to look for when buying baby toys.
Balloons are a definite no. The U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns parents and guardians of
young children about the suffocation hazard presented by uninflated
toy balloons and pieces of broken balloons.
Of all children's products, balloons are the
leading cause of suffocation death, according to CPSC injury data.
Since 1973, more than 110 children have died as a result of suffocation
involving uninflated balloons or pieces of balloons. Most of the
victims were under six years of age, but the CPSC does know of
several older children who have suffocated on balloons.
"Toy Basketball Nets" (11 million)
can strangle children on loops or openings in nets that come unhooked
from the rim or have knots that slide. CPSC is aware of more than
20 reports of children under 5 years old whose head or neck caught
in the net of a toy basketball set, and an 18-month-old child
died after becoming entangled in a partly unhooked net. People
should remove and throw away nets that can unhook or have knots
that slide. Call the manufacturer to get new nets that securely
attach to the rim and do not have sliding knots.
"Swimming Pool Dive Sticks" (19 million)
can cause rectal or vaginal impalement if children fall or land
on the dive stick. CPSC knows of nine impalement injuries and
three non-impalement injuries to children 5 to 11 years old. People
should stop using the hard plastic dive sticks and throw them
out. Depending on the dive sticks owned, consumers can receive
a refund, replacement or repair.
"Flammable Spray String" (1 million)
can cause burn injuries if sprayed around flame sources such as
birthday candles. CPSC is aware of three reports of burns resulting
from the use of flammable spray string. Flammable products intended
for use by children are banned by federal law. Return the flammable
spray string to the retailer for a refund.
"Star Wars Lightsabers" (618,000)
without a battery protector could have a dislodged spring in the
battery compartment, causing the batteries to overheat or rupture.
CPSC and the company know of 38 reports of Lightsaber batteries
overheating, including 6 reports of batteries rupturing, 3 reports
of minor burns to consumers, and 1 report of eye irritation. Call
Hasbro toll-free on (888) 690-6141 to get a free repair kit. Lightsabers
currently being sold with the sticker "Now with battery protector"
are not part of this recall.
"Pooh Poppin' Piano" (202,000) has
a carrot-shaped microphone with a green leafy top that could break
off, posing a choking hazard to young children. CPSC knows of
three broken parts from this toy piano. Call Tiger Electronics
toll-free at (888) 748-2860 to get a replacement. Only pianos
with serial numbers starting with "WT" or "CO15D"
are part of this recall.
"Blue's Clues Toy Notebooks" (3.8
million) that are recalled have red plastic coils with flexible
plastic end caps covering sharply bent coil ends. The bent coil
ends can break off, presenting a small parts choking hazard to
children. CPSC is aware of four incidents where the end piece
of the coil broke off. People should call Colorbok toll-free at
(877) 677-4725 to obtain a free replacement coil. Blue's Clues
Toy Notebooks currently being sold with "Version 2"
on the back cover or lower edge of the packaging are not part
of this recall.
"Precious Moments Tender Tails Stuffed
Toys" (472,000) have pompoms that can detach, posing a choking
hazard to young children. CPSC is aware of three reports of pompoms
detaching. People should cut off the pompoms and return them to
Enesco to receive a different, free Tender Tails toy.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Council, more than 120,000 children were treated in hospital emergency
rooms for toy-related injuries during 1998. To prevent eye injuries,
the Academy offers these tips for choosing safe toys:
Tips on buying baby toys that are safe;
Select only toys and gifts that are appropriate
for the child's age and maturity level.
Avoid toys with sharp, protruding or projectile
parts.
Check labels for American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) approval, to be sure toys meet national safety
standards.
Consider carefully before giving BB, paint
or pellet guns or air-powered rifles as gifts. They are classified
as firearms and should not be considered toys. Darts, as well
as bows and arrows, can also be dangerous.
Don't forget that participating in sports such
as basketball, baseball, football and hockey can cause serious
eye injuries. If giving sports equipment, make sure to include
the appropriate protective headgear such as helmets, facemasks
or goggles with polycarbonate lenses.
The seriousness of an eye injury may not be
immediately obvious. When an injury does occur, it's best to have
an ophthalmologist -- an Eye M.D. -- examine the eye as soon as
possible. For more information about eye health and safety, visit
the Academy's website at www.eyenet.org. For more information
about toy safety, visit the Consumer Product Safety Council's
website at www.cpsc.gov.
Dangerous baby toys that were recalled; http://www.kidsource.com/cpsc/holiday.toy.summary.html
We hope the Tips on buying Safe Baby Toys gave
you plenty of ideas for what to get baby. There are more tips
for buying Safe Baby Toys at http://babyport.info Take time to choose the
right baby toys and it will be very much appreciated by both parent
and baby.
About The Author
Robin Darch, of PRT Specialised Services
Limited has a website, http://www.babyport.info
to help parents find all the information they need about babies,
baby toys, baby showers, baby gifts, products for babies, baby
clothing, and more. There is also more about baby toys at http://babyport.info/43422.php
Chris McElroy runs a missing childrenís organization at
http://www.kidsearchnetwork.org
robin@prtservices.co.uk
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