Iowa — An emergency physician is urging Iowa parents and anyone else buying gifts for children this holiday season to closely follow the labeling and to only purchase toys, crafts, and sporting goods that are age-appropriate.
Dr. Benjamin Orozco, with Gundersen Health System, says pay close attention to the packaging for age recommendations, but he stresses, that shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.
It’s crucial to use common sense when buying gifts for children, he says, especially if there are younger siblings in the house.
The hazards are different for older children and teenagers, and a full complement of safety gear is a must for many purchases.
He says agencies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission do a great job of keeping dangerous toys off the shelves, but occasionally, something will slip through.
Some new toys are still coated with hazardous lead-based paint, typically items being imported from other countries, so beware. Orozco encourages the purchasing of games, balls, and other activity-related toys that get kids outside to play, to stimulate their minds and their bodies
