Summer Toys Could Be Safety Traps
Toys are meant to give children fun things to do, but sometimes they can pose serious hazards. A national toy safety group, World Against Toys Causing Harm, also known as W.A.T.C.H., released its list of top ‘summer safety traps.’ According to W.A.T.C.H., summer months account for nearly half of all injury-related deaths to children, and emergency departments will treat about 2.7 million children injured in accidents this summer. As a parent or a caregiver this summer, there are a few things that you can do to be more conscious in keeping children safe.
The majority of the toys on the W.A.T.C.H. list have to do with pool-related toys and activities. Consumer advocates Siff and Swartz reported that at least 174 children between the ages of 1 and 14 drowned in swimming pools or spas last summer.
Here are some of the toys on the W.A.T.C.H .list.
-Baby Pools: Baby pools create a drown hazard for children. Due to the fact they are shallow, parents often think there is no significant risk. Never let children play in them unattended. Children can drown in just two inches of water.
-Flotation Devices: Devices such as water wings, inflatable rings and floaties can give a false sense of security, and children can drown as a result. Floatation devices should not replace adult supervision.
-Pool Covers: Pool covers create potential for serious injury or death. Although put in place to help with safety, gaps or sags in pool covers can lead to serious injuries.
-Trampolines: There is a potential for fractures, cervical spine injuries and paralysis. An estimated 104,691 people were injured in 2014 for trampoline related incidents.
-Inflatable Amusements: These products have the potential for impact and other serious injuries and death. Due to the fact children are playing in tight quarters, they can often bump into each other and receive serious injuries. Inflatables have been known to fall over causing strangulation or suffocation.
Other items on the list included non-motorized scooters, moveable soccer goals, drawstrings and bicycle helmet straps on playgrounds, realistic looking toy guns and toys with small parts. Parents and caregivers should also be aware of toy recalls. There were over 17 toy recalls in a 12 month period alone, according to W.A.T.C.H.’s press release. For the full list and press release you can visit www.toysafety.org.
If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a product or toy, contact our law offices today for a free consultation.
Source: W.A.T.C.H., www.toysafety.org