‘Tis the Season for Safe Gift-Giving – for Kids

Shopping for a little one this holiday season? If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift for the kid(s) in your life, pediatric emergency medicine physician Teresa Romano, MD, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health, is here to help.

By following her guidance, you can avoid unwrapping a dangerous situation this gift-giving season.

“When buying a gift for a child, safety has to come first,” Dr. Romano says. That’s why you’ll want to double check that the gift is:

• Age appropriate. “Always choose a gift that’s appropriate for the child’s age and developmental stage, which you can find on the box or package,” Dr. Romano says.
• Choking-hazard free. When shopping for young children, follow the toilet paper roll rule. If the toy or any of its removable parts can fit inside the roll’s core, it’s a choking hazard. Also, remove tags and strings. Look for any small, removable or loose parts that your child could put in their mouth and choke on.
• Not a strangulation hazard. Children under age 10 should not be given toys that need to be plugged in. “You want to avoid any toys that have long strings, cords or ribbons longer than 7 inches as they can be a strangulation hazard,” Dr. Romano says.
• Free of button batteries and rare earth (neodymium) magnets. Toys with magnets or button batteries should not be purchased and/or should be thoroughly examined for safety before being given to a child. If more than one magnet is ingested, the magnets could attach inside a child’s body, causing serious injury. Button batteries can also lead to severe internal burns, injury or worse if a child who ingests a button battery doesn’t receive care immediately. “Any toys that light up, talk or require a remote control are most likely powered by button batteries. Before giving a toy to your child, make sure the button-battery compartment is screwed closed. You’ll also want to check for extra button batteries that may be taped to the back of the toy or in the box,” Dr. Romano says.
• Made of sturdy material. If a toy is not made of sturdy material, it can become a choking hazard. “You want to avoid anything made of foam as well as toys that are made from thin plastic as they can break easily into sharp pieces,” Dr. Romano says.
• Free of toxic materials and chemicals. Make sure the label says “nontoxic.” 

“For extra safety, you can look for the ASTM F963 mark. If a toy has this mark, it has been rigorously tested by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and met its comprehensive safety standards,” Dr. Romano says. The ASTM F963 mark assures the toy is free from specific hazards, including excessive lead and heavy metals, dangerous phthalates, and sharp edges or points. It also ensures compliance with safety requirements for flammability, small parts, electrical components and even sound output to protect a child’s hearing.

When buying toys, you’ll also want to be cautious regarding:

• Noise. Make sure there is volume control on toys. “Kids may be sensitive to loud noises so having that volume control is helpful. Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child's hearing,” Dr. Romano says.
• Surprise elements. Any surprise elements should be very clearly labeled on the box. “A jack-in-the-box may be a classic toy, but it can easily lead to an injury. For example, the child can get scared, fall back and hit their head,” Dr. Romano says.
• Toys that shoot objects into the air. These can lead to serious eye injuries.
• Stocking stuffers. Be careful with candies and small objects you put in stocking stuffers. “We don’t want small, cute anything for anyone under 3,” Dr. Romano says.
• Check for recalls. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website to make sure any toys you purchased have not been recalled.

Here are some toys that are on Dr. Romano’s do-not-buy list:

• Hobby kits, chemistry kits, science experiments. “While these kits are educational, they’re really only safe for kids 12 and older. Kids under 12 often don’t know what they are touching – and what they’re touching can be dangerous. This can lead to an accidental harmful exposure. For example, a kid may touch an ingredient in the kit and then put their hands in their mouth or touch their eye,” Dr. Romano says.
• Art kits that you can’t confirm are nontoxic and/or old paint. “It’s not just lead we are worried about. Some of the art kits on the shelves in stores have chemicals in them that you wouldn’t even think were in them. So make sure any art kits or art supplies are labeled as nontoxic so you know all of the ingredients are nontoxic,” Dr. Romano says.

So, what should you buy for the child in your life? The good news is that there are a lot of safe, fun, kid-friendly toys and gifts.

Here are some ideas that have Dr. Romano’s approval:

For babies 12 months and under:

• Books, specifically ones that are sturdy, fabric or indestructible.
• Bright contrast mats.
• Stacking blocks that are big and can be manipulated easily.

For toddlers and tots:

• Colorful nontoxic soap for the bathtub. This helps make bathtime fun.
• Stuffed animals. “If you’re giving a stuffed animal, make sure it is machine washable because they are a field house for germs,” Dr. Romano says. Also, you should avoid stuffed animals that have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation if swallowed.
• Bubbles.
• Water markers. These are great for when you’re in the car and traveling.
• Nontoxic (and preferably washable) art materials. Think markers, crayons and paints with labeling that indicates they are safe for children. “From one seasoned mom to another, I love washable markers – or washable anything when it comes to arts supplies and crafts,” Dr. Romano says.
• Big solid puzzles that encourage pattern recognition.

For kids of all ages:

Even with older kids, safety should always be the No. 1 goal. 

“Bikes and scooters are great gifts for kids. However, remember to include a helmet with these gifts because unless they get it right away, odds are it’s going to be harder to get them to put the helmet on later,” Dr. Romano says. “But by giving a helmet with the bike or scooter, you’re teaching the child to associate the two together – I don’t ride my bike without my helmet.”

While objects are great, according to Dr. Romano, the best gift you can give kids this holiday season is your time and attention.

“When it comes to gift giving, think of things you can do with your children that encourage parent and child bonding,” Dr. Romano says. “Because of how much time kids spend on screens, think of gift ideas that promote face-to-face interaction and encourage you to spend time together as a family. Anything that can promote that interaction is a great gift.”

Some ideas include:

• Big cookbooks with easy recipes. “You can make the gift thematic and get kid-friendly cooking gear, like measuring cups, along with the cookbook,” Dr. Romano says.
• Puzzles.
• Board or card games.

When it comes to keeping kids safe this holiday season, how you present the gift matters. 

“The plastic holiday gift bags many people resort to are actually a suffocation risk for young children,” Dr. Romano says. “While it can be easier to put gifts in holiday bags, if you’re giving a gift for a child under 3, opt to wrap the presents instead.”