During the holiday season, families across the U.S. take part in a great tradition – the holiday gift exchange. In the excitement of getting your children every gift on their wish list, you may not have considered the safety of each toy. This is why Nevada Eye Physicians educates patients about Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month in December.
Prevent Blindness America explains that children incur 11,000 toy-related eye injuries each year. These range from mild scratches to serious injuries that could lead to vision loss. To ensure your children have a safe holiday, consider the following eye safety tips. Contact our eye doctors in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, or Pahrump, NV, to schedule your next eye appointment.
How to check toy labels
Nothing gets a child more excited than a new toy. However, kids do not always understand which toys are appropriate for them. This is why parents should pay attention to the labels and recommendations displayed on the outside packaging of toys. These labels give you important information about the limitations of the product and if they are unsafe toys for kids.
When purchasing a new toy, look for products that match your child’s age group and skill level. For example, if it is “recommended for ages eight and up,” you should not give it to a five-year-old. It may contain parts that pose a danger to their eyes or health. Consider whether any parts might fall off, and assume that younger children may try to throw whatever you give them. Any projectiles could easily injure someone’s eyes.
Eye safety tips for children
To make sure playtime is safe for your little ones this holiday season, consider the following eye safety tips for children:
- Inspect all toys before purchasing. Unsafe toys for kids have sharp edges and are not sturdy enough to withstand impact.
- Look for labels that confirm the toys have passed a safety inspection. For instance, ASTM means it has met the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
- Educate yourself about what kinds of toys have been recalled this year and why.
- Be wary of young children playing with older children’s toys.
Encouraging safe play at home
Eye health and toy safety do not stop once a toy is in your child’s hands. Because misuse is another common cause of eye injuries, parents should demonstrate proper use of the toy to their children. Helmets and other safety gear should always be worn with bicycles and other riding toys. And do not forget to throw away toys that break or come apart over time.
Schedule a yearly eye examination
As you begin to schedule your end of the year physician appointments, remember to include an annual eye examination in Las Vegas. Children’s eyes should be regularly checked for refractive errors, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as any eye diseases. If you suspect that your child has a vision problem, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at Nevada Eye Physicians for testing.
Improve your child’s eye health
Parents play an essential role in maintaining eye health for their children. Nevada Eye Physicians hopes to make things easy by pointing out potentially unsafe toys for kids. During Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, we hope you follow our recommendations and have a safe and memorable holiday season. For more tips about your family’s eye health in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, and Pahrump, NV, reach out for an eye appointment.
