1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Choose Toys with Safety in Mind this Holiday Season

(Topeka, KS) - For many parents and grandparents, picking out a child's toys is an exciting part of every holiday season. But keeping safety in mind when making that special purchase needs to be on the top of every gift-giver's list, according to Kansas SAFE KIDS.

Making the right decision can be easily accomplished when you're armed with knowledge. Each year, over 3 billion toys and games are sold in the United States, and more than half are purchased during the holiday season. However, in 2003 alone, an estimated 155,400 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries.

"Parents need to be aware of the age and safety recommendations on every single toy," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator of Kansas SAFE KIDS. "It is very important to take into account not only children's cognitive skills, but their capacity to handle the toy safely."

Even innocent-looking toys, such as marbles and balloons, can present risks to children. The Child Safety Protection Act, a federal toy labeling law, requires labels on toys that pose a choking hazard to young children. When choosing a toy for a young child, Kansas SAFE KIDS recommends avoiding toys with small removable parts and those with sharp points or edges. Due to the risk of fire and burns, electrical toys should be left off the list until children are at least eight years old.

When selecting a gift, Kansas SAFE KIDS stresses the importance of following age recommendations. Many toy-related injuries occur when parents overestimate a child's ability to handle a toy designed for an older age group. A label reading "not appropriate for children under 3," for example, may be present because the toy poses a choking hazard, not because it's too difficult for a 2-year-old.

Remember that a gift is not complete unless the proper protective gear is included. If giving a bicycle, in-line skates, scooters, or skateboards, be sure to include a helmet as part of the gift. Include elbow pads and kneepads when giving in-line skates, scooters, roller skates or skateboards.

For more tips and information on choosing safe toys for the holidays and additional child safety matters, visit www.safekids.org .

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Woodson Counties, as well as Chanute, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, Wichita and the Metro Kansas City Area. Kansas SAFE KIDS is part of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury -- the number one killer of children ages 14 and under.