The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been hard at work this year, protecting consumers from millions of defective or dangerous products. Toys have been a particular concern; about two million units of dangerous or defective children’s products have been confiscated this year alone.
With the holiday season upon us, many people are thinking of toys to purchase for their children’s Christmas gifts, but you need to be sure the toys you are buying are safe. CPSC and CBP work to prevent dangerous toys from reaching the shelf, but they can’t catch everything.
In 2011, the CPSC received 13 reports of toy-related child deaths, caused mostly by asphyxiation, choking or drowning. And in recent report from the CPSC, experts estimated that about 193,200 children under 15 years of age are treated in emergency rooms across the nation for injuries at least associated with, if not caused by a toy.
CPSC Tips for Child Safety over the Holidays
The CPSC has published several tips for keeping your children safe this holiday season. The first recommendation from the CPSC is to keep your young children away from deflated or popped balloons and other small objects.
Balloons can be a choking hazard for children under 8 years old, so keep deflated balloons out of reach and immediately throw away popped balloons. Small balls or other toys with small parts also create a choking hazard.
When purchasing a scooter or other riding toy for your children, also purchase appropriately fitted helmets and protective gear. Falls from a riding toy can be very dangerous or even deadly. It is important to give your child as much protection as possible.
These tips can be very helpful, but if a defective product injures you or your child, contact a defective product attorney. The right attorney may be able to guide you through your litigation process to help you recover compensation for damages from the responsible manufacturer or other party. Contact a defective product attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates to set up your free consultation. 1-800-246-4878
