Dr. Beth Pulvo is a board-certified pediatrician at ABC Pediatrics of Asheville who has a special interest in childhood injury prevention and public health. She is a member of the Western Carolina Medical Society, the North Carolina Pediatric Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Beth Pulvo is a board-certified pediatrician at ABC Pediatrics of Asheville who has a special interest in childhood injury prevention and public health. She is a member of the Western Carolina Medical Society, the North Carolina Pediatric Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Keep Them Safe, Educational, and Fun!

By Beth Pulvo, MD

December is “Safe Toys and Gifts Month.” With the holidays approaching, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting toys.

As a pediatrician and parent, I love toys! Children can learn a great deal from appropriate toys, but unfortunately many children are also harmed. Jane was a two-year-old I cared for in the emergency room. Her mother brought her in the day after Christmas, worried that she may have swallowed a small battery that fell out of a toy she had been given. An x-ray confirmed the presence of a battery in Jane’s stomach.

An ingested battery can be very dangerous, so I arranged to have a specialist remove the battery while she was sedated. The procedure succeeded and Jane did well, but no parent wants a holiday gift to lead to an ER visit.

In 2010, an estimated 181,500 children were treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury. That’s about 500 kids each day, almost half of whom were children age four and under. Toys are important for a child’s development and can provide important learning opportunities. However, there are some aspects of toys that can be dangerous. What is interesting is that the safest toys also tend to be the most educational!

Select toys with quality construction by inspecting the toy for any parts that could break easily. It is better for a child to have a few well-made toys than lots of low-quality plastic stuff. Choose toys that are appropriate for the child’s age and abilities by checking the labels, and make sure the child is supervised while using the toy.

What to look for, what to avoid

Toys with small parts are a choking hazard and should especially be avoided in children ages three and under. Any toy part that can fit inside a toilet paper roll is too small for children that still put things in their mouths. Inspect toys regularly for damage and broken pieces.

Toys with small magnets are especially dangerous because the magnets can stick together inside the child’s body and cause damage to organs.

Large toys and those that are too advanced for the child can also be dangerous as the child may be unable to use them appropriately. This is the case with sports equipment such as balls, bats, racquets, etc., which must be the right size for the child.

Toys with strings and straps (such as crib mobiles and drawstrings) can be a strangulation hazard.

Avoid toys with sharp points or edges, toys that produce loud noises, and projectiles (such as darts with sharp metal points and cap guns).

Electronic toys are very popular, but reserve them for older children as there are numerous dangers for young kids. Batteries and other small components are choking hazards. Additionally, these toys tend to be manufactured with potentially dangerous chemicals, such as battery acid.

The noise from electronics can be damaging to a child’s hearing. An added benefit of avoiding electronics is that young children learn better from manipulating toys themselves and engaging in self-directed imaginary play.

Electronics may serve as temporary “babysitters,” but this may come at the cost of the child’s language and intellectual development.

Safe, fun toys

I prefer toys made of natural materials such as wood, cotton, and non-toxic paints. If infants and young children put these toys in their mouth, they will not be harmed. Read the labels and warnings on toys to avoid toxic materials, such as PVC and lead.

Toys such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and inline skates are safer when children wear protective gear. If you plan to give any of these toys as gifts, make them safer by also giving a well-fitting helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.

Toys are an important part of childhood, and sharing safe toys with children is educational and fun! My favorite toys are those that provide for good old-fashioned fun and creativity, such as balls, building blocks, art materials, dolls, board games, and books.