Facts about the most dangerous toys and protecting children

Before making toy purchases, Kentucky residents might like to read about what toys pose the most danger to children. According to a study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy, during the period from 1990 to 2011, roughly 3,250,000 children in the U.S. received emergency room treatment for injuries from toys. Of that amount, more than 50 percent represented children younger than five years old.

These statistics reveal that every three minutes a child is receiving medical treatment for a toy-related injury. For children three years of age and younger, choking poses the greatest toy-related danger for injury. Of all the injuries affecting children between the ages of five and 17 years old, about 40 percent of them were from riding toys, and for children younger than five years old, riding toy injuries amounted to about 30 percent of all injuries. Among ride-on toys such as bicycles and wagons, the foot-powered scooter poses the greatest danger of injury for children. What seems to be a non-hazardous toy, foot-powered scooters, especially those designed and sold in 2000, are the worst of rolling toys for causing collisions and falls. Furthermore, the likelihood of children experiencing a dislocation or broken bone tripled while playing with ride-on toys as compared with other toys, according to the report.

Parents should carefully monitor young children who play with ride-on toys or toys that have tiny parts. Parents should also keep informed about any possible recalls on new toys by viewing lists found online. Finally, children should be encouraged to use head, elbow and knee protection while playing with ride-on toys and keep away from traffic.

If a child is severely injured because of a defective or recalled toy, the parents might consider holding the manufacturer responsible. A product liability lawyer may be able to provide representation in pursuing all available damages.

Source: Main Street, “The Most Dangerous Toys Revealed — And They’re Not Toy Weapons or Choking Hazards“, Hal Bundrick, December 05, 2014