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All too frequently, mishaps involving kids and toys happen, which can lead to eye injuries. Thousands of children under the age of 14 experience severe eye injuries, including blindness, as a result of toys every year. When playing with toys, there are three key ways to keep your child’s site safe from harm:

  • Purchase toys appropriate for their age only.
  • Teach them safe play techniques with their toys.
  • When they’re playing, keep an eye on them.

Guidelines for Choosing Safe Toys

Prior to buying a toy:

  • Go over all of the instructions and warnings on the box.
  • Consider whether the toy is appropriate for the age and skill level of your child.
  • Do not buy toys with rods, spikes, sharp or rigid points, or edges that could be dangerous.
  • Children’s sunglasses should have their lenses and frames checked; many can break and result in injuries.
  • Invest in toys that can resist impact and won’t shatter into sharp pieces.
  • Seek out the initials “ASTM.” This indicates that the product satisfies the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) national safety standards.
  • Steer clear of toys with projectiles or pieces that fly off. Recall that BB guns are not playthings.

Prior to allowing kids to use toys:

  • Check toys for robust, safe construction.
  • Describe how to operate the toy.
  • Mend or discard damaged playthings.

And always…

  • Keep toys intended for older kids away from young ones.
  • Keep an eye on your kids while they’re playing.
  • After play, carefully store toys to prevent accidents or trips.
  • Watch over kids’ craft projects; scissors and glue can be very harmful to a child’s vision.
  • Make sure kids are sporting the appropriate eye protection (helmets, eyeguards, face shields).

For more helpful eye care and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.

Source: Preventblindness.org
Image by 5712495 from Pixabay