Be Aware: December Part One When people think of December, they often think of ?Christmas?, ?Hannukah?, ?Christmas Carols?, ?Spiked Egg Nog?, and ?Prezzie?s. Unfortunately, there are few observances for awareness causes in December?. So while I plan to cover those, I will also add a few issues I think need brought to light this season as well?.~Lady Safe Toys and Gifts Month: When it comes to toys and gifts, the excitement and desire to get your children their wish list may cause shoppers to forget about safety. Before you make purchases, remember to consider the safety and age range of the toys. Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. The group encourages everyone to consider if the toys they wish to give suits the age and individual skills and abilities of the child who will receive it, especially for infants and children under age three. A few facts about Toy and Gift Safety: According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2010 throughout the United States. 72% were to people less than 15 years of age. In 2007 alone, companies recalled over 19 million toys worldwide because of safety concerns such as lead paint and small magnets. What you can do: Inspect all toys before purchasing. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. The toy should have no sharp edges or points and should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily. When purchasing toys for children with special needs try to: Choose toys that may appeal to different senses such as sound, movement, and texture Consider interactive toys to allow the child to play with others Think about the size of the toy and the position a child would need to be in to play with it. There is an AblePlay site that helps with this area. Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check them for age, skill level, and developmental benefits before allowing them to be played with. Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard) Keep kids safe from lead in toys by: Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled Being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint Having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three. Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements Do NOT give crayons and markers unless they are labeled “nontoxic”. All statistics compiled from various Google searches, as posting links not pertaining to ATA/PiMD is not allowed a proper works cited is unavailable