In November, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released their Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries Report for the year of 2013. The report states that in 2013, nine children under the age of twelve were lost due to toy-related fatalities, most of which occurred by asphyxiation. KID recommends preventing choking and asphyxiation by using a toilet paper roll to test small toys and parts. If an item fits inside a toilet paper roll, it presents a possible choking hazard.
The CPSC also reports that 256,700 children under the age of fifteen were seen in emergency rooms in 2013 for toy-related injuries. Forty-three percent of injuries were classified as lacerations, contusions, or abrasions, and injuries occurred primarily to the head and face area. Non-motorized scooters accounted for the largest portion of these toy-related injuries, measuring at twenty-five percent.
Although the number of injuries have remained fairly stable in the past few years, the CPSC has seen a drastic decrease in the number of recalled toys since 2008, testifying to the effectiveness of their work and that of advocates like KID. In 2008, there were 172 toy recalls, 19 of which included lead violations. In 2014, in comparison, 30 toys were recalled. Only one of those toys violated lead standards.
As the holidays are approaching, the CPSC has announced its dedication to protecting children from dangerous products. Joining with its Canadian and Mexican counterparts, the CPSC has committed to monitoring imported toys to ensure that North American children are safe this holiday season.
Parents and others can help make toys safer by reporting hazards in toys to SaferProducts.gov. By visiting KidsInDanger.org on a mobile device, you can search for recalled products before you buy or accept a hand-me-down. Protect your children by staying up-to-date on product recalls and safety information through KID e-mail alerts.
