If we keep a close eye on our little ones, it will help us all enjoy the season.
Dr. Abby Smolcich, Pediatrician, ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Darboy
A consumer safety advocacy group has released its annual list of the ’10 Worst Toys’ for the holiday season. It includes products that pose risks for injury, choking, and suffocation.
While the excitement of giving a child a gift is one of the best parts of the holiday season, the annual lists offers a reminder of the unseen dangers that toys can pose to kids.
In its release of this year’s top toy risks, World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) shared a sobering statistic: One child receives emergency room treatment every three minutes due to a toy-related injury. The group reminds parents and caregivers that toy injuries are preventable.
Learn what hazards to watch for so kids can enjoy a safe and fun holiday.
Leading 2024 Concerns
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 206,000 children in the United States were treated for toy-related injuries in 2021. The agency said U.S. emergency departments treated more than 224,000 children due to toy-related injuries that year.
W.A.T.C.H.’s 2024 list of worst toys includes playthings that could lead to injuries, ingestion risks, suffocation, and choking hazards. In the case of toy weapons, the group points out that “when mistaken for real weapons, toy guns can escalate dangerous situations and have, in some cases, led to tragic outcomes.”
Other Hazards
Magnets
“One of the biggest concerns we have during the holidays is any kind of gift with small magnets or batteries that small children may swallow,” says Dr. Abby Smolcich, a Pediatrician with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Darboy.
Small, shiny, round magnets — the kind found in certain toys — have caused many injuries to children. That prompted the CPSC to stop the sale of them in 2012.
A U.S. Court of Appeals later overturned the ruling. When the magnets went back on the market in 2017, Nationwide Children’s Hospital reported a 400% increase in the number of kids hospitalized for magnet ingestion.
Magnets are dangerous because if a child swallows more than one, they can connect to each other through tissue. This in turn cuts off blood supply and can create blockages. Severe injury, infection, or death can result.
“An additional problem with these magnets is that problems may not start for hours,” Dr. Smolcich says. “Parents may think the child will be fine and the magnet just needs to pass, not knowing that the child swallowed more than one. Children also may be reluctant to admit how many they swallowed.”
Batteries
Button batteries or small lithium coin cell batteries also pose risks to children. Swallowing either of these can cause injury, and it’s important to seek prompt medical care.
Seek immediate attention even if a child simply places a button cell battery in their nose or ear. Button cell batteries are the type used in watches and hearing aids. They can cause damage to the nasal septum or eardrum. They also can lead to infections or trouble breathing, as well as impact a child’s ability to smell or hear.
Lithium coin cell batteries are thinner and have a higher voltage than button batteries. They’re found in items like scales, key fobs, and some electronic toys and games. These batteries are about the size of a nickel and are considered the most dangerous to children. Because of their size, they can lodge in a child’s throat and cause chemical burns through the esophagus within two hours. This is a life-threatening emergency.
“Never wait to seek medical attention if you believe your child has swallowed a battery,” Dr. Smolcich says. “Thousands of children are hospitalized each year. Unfortunately, some of these result in fatal outcomes.”
Other common recreational products known to cause injury include trampolines and scooters. Get additional tips for what to watch for from Mayo Clinic.
Stay Informed
“Parents should pay attention to toy recalls, as they most often address concerns of safety,” Dr. Smolcich says. “That includes bicycle helmets, which are vital to preventing head injuries. Damaged or recalled bike helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk for head injury.”
Dr. Smolcich reiterates that the holidays are a great time to be with friends and family. To help ensure safety, parents and caregivers should remember to monitor the toys that children are receiving.
“If we keep a close eye on our little ones, it will help us all enjoy the season,” she says.
