University Osteopathic Medical Center Advises Care in Toy Selection This Holiday Season

Contact: Tia Trivison, Mgr., Marketing & PR for Clinic Services, 740-593-9572

ATHENS, Ohio (November 22, 2000) -- Hair-eating Cabbage Patch dolls, ride-on kiddie cars that burst into flames and chemicals in teething rings and rubber duckies that cause cancer in rats: these are the kind of toy and baby product scares that strike fear into the hearts of parents. Lobbied intensely by their children for the latest and hottest items, parents generally want to buy toys that have extended play and learning value and that are, of course, safe for their children.

The U.S. toy industry is heavily regulated and major manufacturers generally do a good job of designing safety into their products. When problems do arise, such as those cited above, companies usually work with government watchdog groups such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) to remedy the problem.

The pediatricians at the University Osteopathic Medical Center (UOMC) want you to know that despite these efforts unforeseen tragedies continue to occur. Just since December 1999, plastic Pokemon balls that were part of a Burger King Kids Meal promotion have been involved in the suffocation deaths of two infants-a four-month-old boy and a thirteen-month-old girl. The toy was not intended for infants, but therein lies at least part of the toy safety dilemma: how to keep toys with small parts out of the hands of children under age three.

Dr. Karen Montgomery-Reagan, Pediatrician at the UOMC, warns parents to read packaging on toys carefully before selecting an item for a child. "Most infants up to age three will generally place any object given to them in their mouths," she said, "parents should therefore avoid any toys with button eyes or fasteners that can be chewed off. In addition, certain teething products have been found to be dangerous due to exposure to chemicals."

Recent reports that some chemical softeners used in plastic toys and teethers marketed to toddlers have been found to cause kidney and liver damage in rats. The chemicals, known as phthalates (pronounced THAY-lates) are used to soften vinyl. It is important to recognize that no studies have shown any effects of these chemicals on humans.

Nonetheless, the USCPSC has asked companies to stop using phthalates in teethers and chewable toys. Mattel, a major U.S. toy maker, said it is researching the possibility of using vegetable-based products as softeners in vinyl-based toys. Soft PVC toys make up some 60 percent of the toy market.

Choking Still A Major Hazard

As the Pokemon ball incident illustrates, choking is still a major risk for young children. Between 1980 and 1991 nearly 200 children choked to death on balloons, marbles, small balls and other toys. After new laws were enacted in 1994 and 1995, toys with small parts that might create a choking hazard were labeled as not intended for children under age three and carry a warning label about choking hazards for children between ages three and six.

"The challenge for parents is to keep toys intended for older children out of the reach of curious toddlers," said Dr. Phillip Jones, UOMC pediatrician. "Parents need to work with their older children to develop strategies for safe play. Possible strategies include: certain toys may be used only in the older child's room, when the toddler is sleeping, or when the parent is on hand to supervise the toddler and engage him in other activities. Putting toys with small parts away in toddler proof containers is also important."

Older children can be very helpful when their cooperation is enlisted and they understand the dangers of small toys to younger siblings. A motivating reward might be extra attention and playtime with Mom or Dad. The parent is ultimately the responsible party, however, and parental vigilance is the bottom line in keeping young children safely away from balloons, marbles and other small objects.

Make Holidays Safe

The UOMC pediatricians offer a few simple rules parents and families can follow when choosing and giving gifts to keep the upcoming holidays safe.

• Choose gifts that are appropriate for the child's age. If the box indicates that a toy is not intended for a child under age three, it's not just a question of developmental level. It probably has small parts that could be dangerous if swallowed.
• Electrical toys such as electric train sets or toys with heating elements are generally not recommended for children under age eight.
• Electrical toys for older children should have the UL label.
• The lid of a toy chest must be able to stay open in any position. Don't use other types of chests as toy chests.
• The strings on crib and playpen toys should be no longer than 12 inches to prevent a child from strangling on the cord.
• Stuffed toys should be machine washable and have securely fastened features.
• Read instructions for toy use carefully.
• Make sure children understand how a toy is to be played with safely.
• Don't buy your child a BB gun. Air-powered guns such as these are responsible for numerous injuries. The National Society to Prevent Blindness says that more than 3000 eye injuries are caused in the United States each year from BB, pellet guns, and other toy weapons including sling shots and cap guns.
• Discard the plastic wrapping or bags that come with children's toys to prevent accidental suffocation.

Putting Risk in Perspective

A child under age five faces a one in 250 chance of being seriously injured by a toy this year. Between ages five and fifteen that risk decreases to one in 1000.

Dr. Susan Lawrence, UOMC pediatrician adds, "What parents need to know, however, is that a child under age five is eight times more likely to be injured by furnishings and fittings in the home. Stairs account for three times more injuries to children under age five than do toys. Chairs injure 50 percent more children than toys do. Keeping children safe in the home means constant vigilance as well as built-in safety in furniture and housing design."

The major risk for older children comes from sports. Older children between ages 5 and 14 are 10 times more likely to be injured playing basketball, football or baseball than they are playing with toys.

"Around the holidays parents need to pay special attention to trees, candles and decorative lights, said Dr. Thomas Clark, UOMC pediatrician. "Most children are fascinated by candles and lights and may be tempted to use candles in bedrooms or as part of play. Talking to children about the hazards of fire, setting up clear rules and guidelines and keeping candles, matches and lighters well out of the reach of small children are essential." According to Dr. Clark, parents need to strictly supervise candles, open fires and any other potential fire hazards. They also need to ensure that lights on trees and electrical cords leading to lights and decorations are safe and used according to safety standards.

Parents worried about toy safety need to step back and look at the bigger picture. Toys sold by reputable manufacturers follow strict safety and testing guidelines and are generally safe. The main danger lies in buying toys that are not appropriate for the age of a child, in allowing infants and toddlers to have access to toys with small parts intended for older children, and in lack of supervision that might result in a five-year-old riding her two-wheeler with training wheels into the street. A high level of parental vigilance and careful supervision of toddlers and infants and their environment are key steps in ensuring a happy and safe holiday for your children.

For more information on this year's toy advisory, log on to the Consumer Reports website at www.consumerreports.org For an appointment at the UOMC Pediatrics Department in Parks Hall, call 593-2444.