Six tips for giving and getting kid-safe toys
By Dr. Alan Nager Special to the Acorn

It's that time of year when kids start making their holiday wish lists, which of course include toys and games. As parents, we need to carefully monitor the toys that our children receive to ensure that they are safe and age-appropriate. But during the holiday season we see too many children in the emergency department who are suffering from serious injuries caused by poorly made or inappropriate toys. Whether you're buying or receiving toys, please make sure you follow the guidelines below to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

•Age labels. All labels should be read carefully. Parents should use age and safety recommendations on the label as a guide to select toys and games that suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the child. Parents must also make certain that all gifts received from relatives and friends are ageappropriate before opening the package.

Don't worry about hurting a relative or friend's feelings by returning or exchanging a toy that's not appropriate. Your child's safety is always your first priority. And for those who have children of various ages, make sure you keep toys for older children away from younger siblings and neighbors.

•Small parts. For children younger than age 3, do not buy toys or games with small, removable parts, which can cause choking. For children under the age of 6, avoid toys with magnets or small batteries which, if swallowed, can cause serious injuries.

Always look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts on stuffed animals and dolls, and look for well-sewn seams. Parents should avoid any toys with sharp edges and points.

•Toys with wheels. Bicycles, inline skates, scooters and skateboards are always a popular holiday gift item. If you're buying toys with wheels, always buy the proper protective gear. Before riding on toys with wheels, kids should use the right helmet and other safety gear, such as wrist guards, elbow- and kneepads, to protect them from falls or from being hit by other wheeled devices or cars. Also, make sure that all safety gear is specifically designed for the particular wheeled toy.

•Strings and slings. For kids under the age of 8, parents should avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than five inches. Long strings and cords could wrap around a child's neck or other body parts and cause serious injury. Kids under the age of 8 should not be allowed to use projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and slingshots. The improper use of these toys can cause serious eye or head injuries.

•Packaging and chargers. Most kids love to rip open their presents and leave all wrapping papers and packaging material scattered on the floor. Parents should make sure to throw away all plastic wrappings, tissue paper, ribbons and packing peanuts immediately after kids open their gifts to ensure the packing materials don't become dangerous playthings.

For batteryoperated toys, parents should supervise their children when charging batteries. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging and can pose burn hazards to children.

•Bats, clubs and sticks. Some favorite holiday gifts are baseball bats, golf clubs, jump ropes and piñata sticks. If purchasing these items, parents must make sure that when kids are swinging any type of bat or club, or jump roping, all other kids and adults are at least eight feet away to prevent serious injury from being accidentally hit. Adult supervision is a must when a group of children are playing with any of these types of toys.

Nager is a Calabasas resident and head of the Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.