Custom Search
|
|
California Injury Lawyer Offers Guidelines For Purchasing Toys
According to a new CPSC toy hazard report, more than 250,000 children were treated in emergency rooms with toy injuries in 2009. Injury trends have dramatically increased in all age groups. Forty-five percent of all injuries involve the head and face area, with abrasions, lacerations and contusions being the most common. Additionally, twenty-three percent occurred around the arm, shoulder, and fingers. Fortunately, many of these injuries are not serious. It is important to follow these CPSC guidelines when purchasing toys. 1. Always purchase toys appropriate for the child's age: If the child is under three years old, avoid toys with small parts, such as balls, as he or she could choke on such items. Never leave children unsupervised during playtime: 2. Gear up for safety: Safety gear should always be included in the purchase of ride-on toys. If buying a bike or a scooter, include a helmet. 3. Playing location: Never allow children to play near ponds, pools, or streets, as accidents frequently occur in such areas. 4. Avoid toys that have been recalled: While most U.S. toy stores will remove recalled items from their shelves immediately, they can often be found in thrift or second-hand stores and on online auctions sites like eBay, explains a California injury lawyer. A complete list of recalled toys can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website, www.cpsc.gov. You may also report a toy-related injury to the CPSC through its website. Moreover, the U.S. Public Interest Group has a website, www.uspirg.org which offers several pamphlets on general tips about buying toys and toy safety issues. You may also sign up for their free email alert, so you will be one of the first to know if a toy is recalled. If you have purchased a toy that has been recalled, you can always take it back to the store where you found it. It is the store’s obligation to deal with the manufacturer, not yours. If the toy has already been recalled, the retailer should have a "do not sell" written into its barcode; even if the toy is still in the store’s inventory, it should not make it past the register. Hopefully these guidelines will help with purchasing toys in the future, as well as evaluating the safety of ones received over the holidays. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Larry Drexel is a Public Relations manager. To obtain free, informative books or articles, or to find a qualified California Injury Lawyer, she suggests visiting California Injury Lawyer. |
|