Toy Safety Holiday tips

December is Safe Toys and Gifts month, so before you buy check out these toy safety tips from the nonprofit group Safe Kids Worldwide and the National Safety Council:

• Avoid small parts that might be a choking hazard for infants or small children.
• Choose toys appropriate for a child's age. Age guidelines are usually marked on toy packaging.
• Keep kids' hearing safe: Avoid toys that produce loud noises.
• For kids under 8, skip toys with heating elements or sharp points and edges.
• Avoid toys with strings and straps longer than 7 inches -- they pose a strangulation risk.
• Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or awkward to handle.
• Be aware of dangers associated with coin lithium batteries; of particular concern is the ingestion of button batteries by small children or animals.
• See which toys have been recalled.
  

For more information, visit: the National Safety Council and SafeToys Month