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By U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

In the United States, emergency rooms treated 251,800 toy-related injuries, according to the report issued last year from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). And, 44 percent of the injuries were to the head and face area, the area of the body with the most injuries. An estimated 84,400 of all toy-related injuries, or 34 percent, happened to children younger than 5 years of age.

Prevent Blindness has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness month and offers additional tips including:

• Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
• Ask yourself or the parent if the toy is right for the child's ability and age. Consider whether other smaller children may be in the home that may have access to the toy.
• Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges.
• Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards.
• Look for the letters "ASTM." This designation means the product meets the national safety standards set by ASTM International.
• Don't give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.
• If any part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
• Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children as these can become wrapped around a child's neck.
• Magnets, like those found in magnetic building sets and other toys, can be extremely harmful if swallowed. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a child may have swallowed a magnet.
• Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. "Uninflated balloons can pose a serious risk of suffocation. It is recommended that children under the age of 8 should always have adult supervision when playing with balloons." - Dr. Erika Kalabacas

When riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and inline skates should never be used without helmets that meet current safety standards and other recommended safety gear, like hand, wrist and shin guards.

• Read all warnings and instructions on the box.
• Always supervise children and demonstrate to them how to use their toys safely.