List Offers Tips on Hazardous Toys

The Institute for Injury Reduction has released its annual Toy Safety Report alerting parents and other gift buyers to the hazards of some toys on sale during the holiday season. The dangers include small parts that can choke a child, strings longer than seven inches that can strangle, sharp edges that can cut and toys that shoot piercing objects. The report lists 25 hazardous toys, a one-page toy safety checklist, a list of toys that were recalled in 1994 and relevant legislation and proposed regulations. It also urges parents to look for warning labels and age recommendations; avoid toys that look, smell or taste like food; check labels for warnings about lead in painted toys, and carefully examine items such as sleeping bags and comforters, which are not subject to government flammability standards. In 1993, emergency care was required for an estimated 165,000 toy-related injuries, 25 of which were fatal. A free brochure titled “The Safe Toy Project” is available by contacting the Institute for Injury Reduction at (301) 261-0090.