Toys for babies must be safe.

Toys for babies must be safe.

When it comes to infant toys, it's not just about finding something that will keep them occupied. You must ensure that the toys you purchase for your children are safe. There are a lot of dangerous gadgets out there. Toys for babies may be expensive, so here are some things to keep in mind while shopping for them.

The use of balloons is a no-no. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), uninflated toy balloons and bits of shattered balloons pose a suffocation threat to young children.

According to CPSC injury statistics, balloons are the most common cause of suffocation death among children's items. Suffocation deaths involving uninflated or partially inflated balloons have occurred more than 110 times since 1973. The majority of the casualties were youngsters under the age of six, but the CPSC is aware of many older children who have died from suffocation due to a helium balloon.

Children may be strangled by "Toy Basketball Nets" (11 million) if the nets' loops or apertures fall unhooked from the rim or if the knots slip. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said a toy basketball set net has entangled the necks of more than two dozen children under the age of five, and one 18-month-old kid died after being entangled in an unhooked net. Remove and discard any nets that have the potential to come undone or knots that slip. Make a call to the manufacturer to get new nets with no sliding knots that are attached firmly to the rim.

If a youngster falls or lands on a "Swimming Pool Dive Stick" (19 million), it might cause a rectal or vaginal impalement. In the age range of 5 to 11 years, the CPSC has received reports of nine impalement injuries and three non-impalement injuries. Dive sticks made of hard plastic should no longer be used and disposed of. Consumers may be eligible for a refund, a new stick, or a repair depending on the kind of diving stick they possess.

It is possible to be burned by spraying "Flammable Spray String" (1 million) close to a source of heat or flame, such as a birthday candle. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been three instances of burns caused by the use of flammable spray string. The use of flammable goods by minors is prohibited under federal law. You may return the flammable spray string to the shop for a refund.

Without a battery guard, "Star Wars Lightsabers" (618,000) might have a loose spring in the battery compartment, resulting in the batteries overheating or rupturing. Six batteries ruptured, three customers had minor burns, and one person experienced eye discomfort as a result of Lightsaber batteries overheating, according to the CPSC and the firm. Get a free repair kit by calling Hasbro at (888) 690-6141. This recall does not apply to lightsabers that have the "Now with battery protection" label.

Children's choking hazards include a carrot-shaped microphone with a green leafy top on "Pooh Poppin' Piano" (202,000). The toy piano in question has three damaged components, according to the CPSC. Get a new one by calling (888) 748-2860, which is the free number for Tiger Electronics. In this recall, only pianos whose serial numbers begin with "WT" or "CO15D" are included.

Plastic end caps with flexible end caps cover sharply bent coil ends of the "Blue's Clue Toy Notebooks" (3.8 million) subject to recall. The bent coil ends provide a choking threat to youngsters if they break off. There have been four reported cases in which the coil's terminal piece broke off. To acquire a free new coil, customers may contact Colorbok toll-free at (877) 677-4725. If you have a "Version 2" label on the back cover or bottom border of the package, you're not affected by this recall.

Pompoms on the "Precious Moments Tender Tails Stuffed Toys" (472,00) provide a choking danger to children under the age of two. Three incidents of pompoms coming undone have been reported to the CPSC. To get a free Tender Tails toy, people need to snip off the pompoms and send them back to Enesco.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Council, more than 120,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries caused by toys in 1998. The Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following guidelines for purchasing safe toys:

Advice on how to choose safe infant toys;

Don't provide anything to a youngster that isn't age-and maturity-appropriate.

Don't let your children play with toys that include projectiles or pointy pieces.

To ensure that toys are safe, look for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) seal of certification on their label.

Before making a gift of a BB, paint, pellet, or air-powered weapon, think again. They are guns, and as such, they should not be treated as such. Even darts, which are not as lethal as arrows, may be harmful.

A major eye injury may result from engaging in sports, including basketball, baseball, football, and hockey. Protective headgear such as helmets, facemasks, or goggles with polycarbonate lenses should be included with sports equipment gifts.

An eye injury's severity may not be readily apparent. It's preferable to have an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) to inspect the eye as soon as possible when an injury occurs. Visit the Academy's website at www.eyenet.org for additional information on eye health and safety. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Council's website at www.cpsc.gov for additional information about toy safety.

Toys that pose a danger to infants have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. Visit http://babyport.info for additional information on purchasing safe baby toys. Be patient while shopping for baby toys, and you and your child will both benefit from the effort.