Young children are often described as "accidents waiting to happen." Too often, accidents do occur and may result in eye injuries. Hospital emergency rooms treat an estimated 290,000 product-related eye injuries each year. Children under five years of age make up 10 percent of that number, with most product-related injuries occurring in or around the home and at play.
Toy selection guidelines
- Read all warnings and instructions.
- Consider a child's ability rather than age when purchasing toys; age warnings on toys are not guarantees of safety.
- Avoid toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods and dangerous edges.
- Inspect toys for safe, sturdy construction.
- Repair or replace damaged or defective toys.
- Store toys properly after play to avoid trips and falls.
- Supervise children's craft projects; scissors and glue are among the products most dangerous to a youngster's eyesight.
- Check the lenses and frames of children's sunglasses before buying them; many (particularly the inexpensive, novelty type) can break and cause injuries.
- Stay away from flying toys and projectile-firing toys.
- BB guns are not toys and should not be given to children too young to handle them safely.
- Keep older children's toys away from younger children.
- Children should wear appropriate eye protection for sports (face shields, helmets).
Daycare.com would like to thank Prevent Blindness America for this information in striving to make daycare and childcare a more productive and efficient service.
