AVOID THESE TOYS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD’S EYES SAFE
New toys under the Christmas tree are exciting for both kids and parents, but pay close attention to the risk of eye injury any toy may pose.
Statistics suggest there are about 25,000 toy-related eye injuries each year in Canada. About one-third of these injuries are suffered by children under the age of five.
Here are four categories of toys to avoid this Christmas to reduce the chance of eye injury (especially for very young children).
- Toys that shoot things
Any type of projectile has the potential for causing injury to the eye. This includes guns that shoot soft darts or suction cups. Some of these can launch a dart over 75 feet. At point-blank range this can result in serious damage to an eye. - Water balloon launchers and water guns
When a water balloon or stream of water hits the eye it can cause blunt trauma that could lead to possible permanent vision loss. - Toy fishing poles
These should be avoided as they involve small dangly objects that could become lodged in a child’s eye. - Toys that involve long and pointy objects
Swords, fishing poles, light sabres and wands all fit into this category - Aerosol string
“Silly string” type products can cause abrasions of the cornea as well as chemical burns to the eye’s sensitive structures. - Laser pointers
Toys that include laser pointers and bright LED flashlights should be avoided as gifts for children. Even those that are considered “safe for kids” may increase the chances of an accident, due to the temporary blindness caused when they are shone into the eyes.
Check out the latest list from W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) for the Top Ten Worst Toys of 2019 here.
Don’t always trust the labels on kid’s toys, or the fact that they are on sale, to make the determination that a toy is safe for your child. Use common sense, and definitely consider the nature of the child you are buying for, as well as the age and maturity of the kids they will be playing with (they will likely be using the toy as well)!
