Kirk Bernard

Over the last two years or so, a number of toys have been recalled for excessive amounts of lead paint or because they pose laceration, fall or choking hazards. However, you’d be surprised that a lot of these toys still sit on shelves where you are likely Christmas shopping, as we speak! As parents, it is extremely important that we remain vigilant during the holiday shopping season. Dangerous and defective toys may still be found at second-hand stores and at retail outlets. That said, these are not the only toys that endanger your child’s well-being. As a skilled personal injury attorney, Kirk Bernard knows that other toys that are normally considered “safe” can still pose dangers to young children, especially when they are not age-appropriate.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2008, 235,000 injuries involving toys were treated at emergency departments in the United States. During the same year, 19 children younger than age 15 died in toy-related incidents. A majority of these incidents involved cuts, contusions, facial and head injuries. Here are some useful tips to help prevent such injuries – major or minor – not only this holiday season, but year-round:

Please read the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings. If a toy warns about “serious injuries” or has too many warnings, just stay away from that toy. It’s not worth it.

Do not give children under 8 years of age toys that have sharp edges, have batteries that can be swallowed or have heating elements that can cause burn injuries.

If you have small children, please do not buy toys with small parts that can be swallowed and cause choking hazards. If necessary, twist and pull small parts to see if they come off. Some small parts are simply not properly attached the way they should be.

After you open a toy, immediately dispose of the plastic wrappings, which can cause suffocation or choking.

If your child is younger than 8, please do not give him or her toys that contain small magnets. These can come off and be ingested by young children and could even be fatal. These tiny magnets are extremely dangerous because you can’t even tell from the symptoms that your child has suffered a fatal injury.

Beware of bright-colored toys! They may look shiny and attractive, but those qualities may come from excessive lead paint. In 2009 alone, CPSC ordered the removal of 14 types of toys due to high lead counts. Ingesting lead could lead to cognitive issues and even brain damage in children.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective product or a defective toy, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE comprehensive and confidential consultation and case evaluation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure, which has useful educational information about defective product cases that will help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source:http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/dangerous_toys.html