Keep safety in mind when buying toys for Christmas

The Christmas holidays are quickly approaching and the shopping season is already in full swing! As you're making your list and checking it twice, be sure that the toys and gifts for the children on your list are safe and age appropriate.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 170,000 children under the age of 15 were treated at the emergency room last year for toy-related injuries. Most injuries were to the head and face, and more than 80,000 of them were to children ages 5 and younger.

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, designed to encourage people to make conscientious decisions when purchasing gifts for children, whether they're for a charitable giving tree or for your own family or friends. 

Here are a few tips to help keep this holiday season safe for children:

n Inspect all toys before you purchase them. Check all toys that your child receives to make sure they're age appropriate.

n Give older children gift certificates to movie theaters, a favorite restaurant, or retail stores that allow the parents to choose an appropriate item.

n Remain aware of recalled products. Unfor-tunately, some toys that have been recalled or banned may still be available online.

n Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles). The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 40,000 sports-related eye injuries occur each year.

n Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off, such as BB guns and air guns.

n Don't give toys with small parts to young children, since they can pose a choking hazard. If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under 3 years.

Commit to making this holiday season safe and happy for the kids in your life!

n Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital.