With the holidays upon us, many parents and families are closing out their holiday shopping lists. If you’re shopping for children, or already have some toys you plan on giving children this holiday season, our personal injury lawyers want to remind you about the importance of product safety!
Children’s toys cause thousands of preventable injuries and deaths each year, and it’s important for parents and family members to know the risks certain toys may pose to kids of various ages. Below are a few important holiday tips for avoiding dangerous children’s toys and toy recalls.
Toys to Avoid this Holiday Season
When selecting children’s toys, you should always research them first to determine if the toy may be recalled. You can do this by visiting www.recalls.gov, a government website that can help you search for various children’s toys that have been recently recalled. The official website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also posts information about recently recalled children’s toys.
For Example, the CPSC website shows that the following children’s products have been recalled:
- Dream on Me Incredible Play Yards – These play yards are sold at popular retailers, but can collapse and present a strangulation hazard to young children.
- Graco Strollers – In November, Graco recalled 11 models of its strollers due to a dangerous folding hinge that can potentially pinch or even amputate a child’s finger.
- HobbyZone Super Club S Radio– Controlled Aircraft – Horizon Hobby recalled the aircraft earlier this month due to the risk of fire hazard caused by overcharged batteries.
Safety Tips to Protect Your Children
- Check for Recalls / Product Reviews – As we’ve mentioned, you can search online for recall notifications when considering which toys to purchase. Both the CPSC and recalls.gov websites are great resources for searching recall information. You can also do research on the specific product itself and look for reviews that may mention potential dangers or injuries.
- Supervision – Supervision is crucial when children are playing with toys, especially if the toys are dangerous or the children are young.
- Follow Directions – Always make sure you read the directions, age restrictions, and manufacturer guidelines prior to giving your child a toy. You should choose age-appropriate toys and make sure your children know how to properly use the toys.
- Riding Toys – According to a recent study from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, riding toys are the most common cause of child injury. If you are giving your child a riding toy this holiday season, make sure they wear protective gear and know how to properly use the toy.
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has helped many families whose children have been injured in preventable accidents involving dangerous and defective products. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and offer our service and support to anyone who would like to learn more about their legal rights after an accident.
