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Toy Safety
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Every year thousands of kids are treated at hospital
emergency rooms for toy-related eye injuries, and
many more go unreported. When you are shopping for
children's toys, there a few important guidelines
you might want to keep in mind.
First, make sure the manufacturer's age range for
the toy designed matches the age of your child or
the development of your child. Decide whether the
toy is appropriate to the child's level of maturity
as well as age. Also, frequent accidents can occur
when children play with toys that are not meant for
them. Be sure to consider the potential danger to
others when selecting a toy.
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Second, toys that contain sugar-based compounds can be
dangerous to the eyes. Compounds that warn not to come into
contact with wood or carpet could cause serious burns to
the cornea. Also, toys that contain liquid-like or sticky
compounds could cause an eye infection if the child's fingers
touch the eyes after handling these toys.
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If the toy fires any kind of object, or if the toy
itself is launchable, depending on the material and
the speed, eye injury could occur. Examine the toy
for parts that could fly off. Toys that use concentrated
power or pressure to transfer another object are the
most likely toys to become a problem. Objects launched
by a rubber band, slingshot, or spring could penetrate
the eye, and possibly even rupture the eye. Also check
toys for sharp, pointed edges that could be a threat
to your child's vision.
Toys are teaching tools which stimulate a child's
social, intellectual, physical, and creative development.
For this reason, you must keep your child in mind
as you shop for new toys.
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Remember that the key to preventing these eye injuries
or any other toy-related injury is adult supervision.
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