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Accident prevention when buying gifts
Published
As we get closer to the festive period, it’s important to be aware of some of the risks when buying gifts for children. Based on information from the Child Accident Prevention Trust, we wanted to share an article with some useful advice for buying presents over Christmas.
With people buying gifts for little ones as we enter the festive period, thinking about safety might not be your first thought, but it could be an important one. The Child Accident Prevention Trust provides some really useful guidance when thinking about toy safety and things to look out for.
Understanding what makes toys safe is a good place to start – the Child Accident Prevention Trust provide a helpful online checklist, with a PDF version available to print to look at what to be aware of when you are buying a toy, such as UK toy safety standards, care sheets and the quality of material the toy is made from.
With more and more gifts being bought online, it can be harder to know whether a toy you’ve bought is safe or not – The Child Accident Prevention Trust provide some advice when buying toys online, and provide some tips what to look out for when your shopping and what to avoid.
Being aware of the dangers of batteries is another important factor when buying gifts. Small button size batteries can be common but have significant risks to the child if ingested. These small, round, silver-coloured batteries come in many different sizes and types, with different levels of power. The size and power of these batteries really matter, regarding their risk – the larger they are, the more potentially dangerous they might be.
Keeping batteries out of reach of children is recommended particularly for parents of children aged 1-4, who are most at risk. Children of any age could also be at risk however, so keeping batteries in a safe out of reach place, regardless of whether they’re used or not is suggested.
Magnets are another risk when buying gifts, particularly when ingested. The risks related to Magnets in toys are good to be aware of.
We hope this information helps you over the festive break. Toys, available through trusted shops and tested to UK standards are safe, but being aware of the risks can help you and your family to have a great time and avoid accidents.
If you’d like any further guidance, Free Educational Resources are available for you and your family.