Are You Putting Safety First in Your Holiday Gift-Giving?

Dec 24,2016

Gift-giving season is here, and kids around the world are anticipating the myriad wonderful presents awaiting them Christmas morning. What they aren’t looking forward to is being injured by a toy they received for Christmas. Unfortunately, about 217,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year due to toy-related injuries.

These injuries can be prevented with the right precautions and supervision. Here are 7 safety tips for giving children gifts this holiday:

Always follow the safety label to determine whether a toy is age-appropriate for a child. Beyond that, make sure the toy has passed an inspection by the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) and does not have toxic ingredients. Of course, use common sense as well to decide if a toy is appropriate for a child. The label might not always be accurate, depending on the child.
Make sure children under 3 do not have access to toys with small parts that could choke them. If you have older children in the home, make sure they understand the dangers of leaving their small pieces within reach of younger children.
Provide protective gear like helmets and elbow pads whenever you give gifts that require them, such as bicycles and other riding toys.
Always supervise children ages 8 and under when they are using a riding toy. Make sure any child using a riding toy is wearing the appropriate protective gear.
Immediately dispose of packaging, especially plastic bags and wrapping, which can pose risks to young children who try to play with them.
Always supervise battery charging. Read any warnings that come with a chargeable device and make sure it does not overheat while charging.
If you are giving a child a device such as a cell phone, laptop or tablet, make sure you have set it up for safety. Install parental controls, utilize apps that monitor your child’s activity, and install a safe search engine that will block inappropriate websites. Moreover, make sure you have a conversation with your child about online safety.

“Gift-giving is an exciting part of the holidays for parents and loved ones. Remember to always put safety first when choosing gifts for the children in your lives,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.