How Can You Keep Your Child Safe from Dangerous Toys?

As a parent, it is only natural to want to protect your children from every danger in the world. You visit your pediatrician regularly for annual checkups; you feed your children fresh nutritious meals; and you take every safety precaution when driving them around town. Yet child product manufacturers and toy makers don’t always have your child’s best interest in mind. They routinely develop and market toys that are hazardous to your children’s health and wellbeing. Consider this, in 2012 alone, 192,000 children were treated in emergency rooms due to toy-related injuries.

So how can you keep your child safe amidst increasing toy recalls? Here are some simple steps to keep your child safe from dangerous toys.

Always Check the Product Number. Often, a toy recall will include only those units made at a certain time or a particular plant. The product numbers, which are usually in out of the way places, identify when and where the toy was manufactured. To see if a toy in has been recalled, cross reference the product number with the Recall Finder option on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website. If a toy has been recalled, take it from your child immediately and follow the recall procedure. Stay current on the latest toy and kid's product recall information.

Don't Allow Your Child to Play With Broken Toys. Magnetic toys, in particular, are often the target of recalls due to the tiny, yet potent magnets inside them, which can become dislodged, and fall out. Check magnetic toys regularly for indications of wear, and always supervise your children when they are playing with magnetic toys. Children can suffer serious injuries from swallowing magnets.

Follow Appropriate Age Guidelines. If a toy has been labeled as being safe for ages 3 and up, it is wise to follow those guidelines. Do not let your toddler or infant play with toys that are clearly marked for older children. If you are uncertain of a toy and its appropriateness for your child, err on the side of caution and remove the toy.

Be Wary of Lead. Lead paint has been prohibited in the U.S. since 1978, but not every country has such safety guidelines. For this reason, many parents try to purchase toys made exclusively in the United States. However, lead can be found in other imported items such as, sunglasses and baby bibs. If your child's bibs are cracked, toss them out to keep baby from accidentally ingesting a piece.

If you do suspect your child has been exposed to lead, have them tested. Exposure to levels high enough to cause learning difficulties later on may not show symptoms right away. A simple blood test at the pediatrician's office can put your mind at ease.

Keep Toys in a Safe Place. Incidents of brain injuries and death when children are struck on the head or neck by falling toy chest lids have been documented. Some children have even suffocated while playing inside the chest. To prevent this, remove the lid or add spring-loaded hinges to keep the lid from closing accidentally.

Contact Pediatrician Immediately. If your child has been exposed to a toxic substance, such as lead paint, or has been injured by a defective toy, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately. Your child may need emergent medical treatment or your doctor may need to routinely monitor your child for adverse reactions or medical complications.

National Product Liability Lawyers

Our children are our lives and we do everything possible to protect them from harm. However, circumstances beyond our control, such as defective toys or products, can inflict serious bodily injuries to our children. If your child has suffered injuries due to a defective toy or other product, contact Golomb Legal immediately. Our experienced Philadelphia product liability lawyers will work hard to achieve justice for your family.

To learn more about your legal options or to schedule a free consultation call the Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Golomb Legal today at 1-800-355-3300 or 1-215-985-9177 or fill out our confidential Contact Form.

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