As parents, keeping our children safe is our top priority. We know to keep them away from sharp knives, flames and water. We teach them the danger of strangers, to avoid dogs we don’t know and to look both ways when we cross the street.
But, did you know that many child-related injuries are caused by the most innocent of objects? Objects that are meant to bring joy and happiness in the safety of our homes? It’s true. Many toys have been recalled over the years, either due to an accident, serious injury or simply because they don’t meet the safety standards put in place to protect us and our children from harm.
So, how do you know if your child is playing with a dangerous toy and what should you do next? Regularly checking for toy recalls on the manufacturer’s website will help keep you in the loop. Speak with a personal injury lawyer in Moncks Corner if your child has been hurt by a faulty product.
Here, we’ll examine the most common dangers in your child’s toybox.
Heavy metals
It’s easy to imagine that heavy metals like, lead, mercury and even arsenic are a thing of the past. However, some toys are still being recalled due to the presence of toxic, heavy metals that could harm your child’s health. When metals like lead are inhaled or even eaten, it can seriously damage your child’s nervous system and brain function.
Choking hazards
There’s nothing more terrifying than a choking child. And it’s easy to picture this scenario occurring during mealtimes, or when enjoying a snack. However, if your child is playing with a toy that has small parts, or has small parts that have broken away, or it’s a toy designed for older children, then your little one could be at risk. Choking doesn’t have to occur due to something being put in the child’s mouth; plastic packaging, strings from yo-yos and pull-along toys, even stuffing from inside bears and soft toys all pose a risk.
Magnets
Magnets can be fun and educational, which is why they’re often used in toys for older children. However, magnets are now smaller than ever which means that children are more likely to put them in their mouths. Even older children, who are messing around are at risk. Swallowing a magnet can cause internal organs to twist, cause blockages in intestines, create catastrophic holes in the digestive system and most often, cause a painful death. If your child is going to use magnets always ensure that they are safe and supervised.
And finally, cuts and lacerations
Toys that have sharp metal edges, toys that fire small plastic parts or those that become damaged have the ability to cause cuts and lacerations, as well as damage to eyes and other areas of the body. These kinds of toys should only ever be purchased for age-appropriate children, and any toy that is broken or that has sharp edges should be removed.
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