There’s nothing that can bring a smile to our little ones’ faces quite like unwrapping the perfect toy during the holiday season.

As gift givers or parents, we hope that it brings them hours of entertainment, but how can we give the best gift while keeping kids safe?

According to the most recent data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 209,500 toy-related injuries at emergency departments across the United States in 2022. Most of those occurred in children under 14-years-old.

Some of these accidents could be preventable by buying safe toys and following safety instructions.

But can the safe toys still be fun?

The answer is yes!

The WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program encourages parents to take time to read toy labels when shopping. You should also read labels closely when your child is opening a toy they received from someone else. Those labels contain important information like the appropriate ages for each toy. This is especially important with younger children.

Children under the age of three are at a higher risk for choking on toys because they tend to put everything in their mouths. Small children also have smaller airways than older kids.

Some toys contain button batteries that can pose serious health risks.

Toys with these small dangers might end up in the hands of a very curious toddler and lead to accidental ingestion, esophageal issues, vomiting, breathing problems, or intestinal blockages. Any of those could ruin much more than just the holiday season.

Reading the labels and instructions will not only tell you how to use the toy, but it will warn you if dangerous batteries are present.

Batteries aren’t the only choking hazard. Also be cautious of play telephones, kites, or anything with a chord or string, which should be kept away from small children.

So many of us have memories of getting a brand-new bicycle at Christmas.

Now, there are so many more riding toys, like scooters, hoverboards, vehicles kids can drive themselves, and so much more.

Those riding toys are responsible for most toy injuries in children ages 14 and under. Many of those injuries happen when a child falls from a toy.

To keep kids as safe as possible, make sure the gift comes with a helmet.

About half of all toy-related injuries occur in the head and face area, and they can happen at unlikely times with little force.

When riding any type of toy, make sure your child has a clear path, and an adult is present.

Riding accidents can also happen when a child is hit by a car while riding the toy or if they drive the toy into a body of water.

Wagons and even sleds have rules for safety, too. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s permitted number of riders and supervise children during use.

Finally, be cautious of toys with sharp edges and anything that needs plugged in. While they may work for older kids, just keep them out of reach of the youngest members of the family.

If you’re looking at a particular toy and want to make sure that it’s safe, you can aways check for recalls or safety alerts on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

The WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program staff can also answer any questions. You can reach them at wvumchildrensinjuryprevention@wvumedicine.org or 304-554-8519.