Thousands Of Children Suffer Eye Injuries From Toys

Prevent Blindness America
Saturday, 1 December 2001

Virtually all Toy-Related Eye Injuries Preventable

Schaumburg, IL - Did you know that last year, close to 10,000 children under the age of 14 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for eye injuries caused by toys and sporting equipment? The actual number of injuries may be much higher as the statistic does not include injuries treated at outpatient clinics or private doctors' offices. These injuries can result from accidents (e.g., a child tripping over a toy that is left out), unintended misuse of the toy, or an inherent flaw in the toy's design or material.

"The fact is that virtually all of these eye injuries are preventable," said Daniel D. Garrett, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) spokesperson. "That statement in itself is a powerful incentive for parents to follow simple precautions when buying toys and supervising their children's use of them," added Garrett.

Every year billions of toys are sold in the United States and a large majority of these are sold in December. With the holiday season just around the corner, PBA has the following tips on how to make this a safe holiday season:

- Inspect toys for safe construction. Products given to young children should be made of durable plastic or wood with no sharp edges or points. The toys should be able to withstand impact. Avoid purchasing toys with small parts for young children. Young children tend to put items in their mouths, increasing their risk of choking.

- Check your children's toys regularly for broken parts. Throw broken toys out immediately if they cannot be safely repaired. Older kids often alter their toys and misuse them, making them unsafe. It is better to be vigilant, even with older kids, so that serious eye injuries can be prevented.

- Read the instructions and suggested age level on the packaging. Assess whether the item is appropriate for the child's ability and age. Age labeling is provided not just for developmental reasons, but for safety reasons as well.

- Avoid toys that shoot projectiles such as toy guns - they contribute to a large number of serious eye injuries and can rob children of their sight. Last year, there were close to 3,000 eye injuries in children under the age of 14 caused by toy weapons, BB guns, slingshots and other propelled toys.

- Look for the symbol ASTM F963. This indicates the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

- Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.

- Keep an eye out for recalled products. Large toy retailers post regular notices of recalled toys usually at the front of the store. Take recalled products back to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. For further information on toy and product recalls, visit the U.S. Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov.

PBA is offering the free fact sheet, Tips for Choosing Safe Toys, hoping to reduce the number of toy-related eye injuries that occur among children during the holiday season and throughout the year.

For more information, or to contact Prevent Blindness America, see their website at: www.preventblindness.org