New Report Puts Toys On The Naughty List: Doctor Says Toys Are ‘Becoming More Dangerous’

A new report released on Monday puts some toys on the naughty list for being dangerous. The report shows that every hour, approximately 18 kids in the United States suffer injuries caused by toys serious enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. That’s a toy-related injury every three minutes.

And taking the number one spot on the naughty list of toys are riding toys, especially scooters.

The study, which was published in the journal Clinical Pediatrics, found that toys such as scooters, wagons, tricycles, and motor-powered vehicles such as Barbie Jeeps are the main culprits behind the growing number of children’s toy-related injuries and emergency room visits. Ride-on toys now account for 35 percent of injuries and 43 percent of hospital admissions among kids younger than 18.

Bicycles were excluded from the study because they are categorized as vehicles, rather than toys, by the industry.

Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, told CBS News, “The type of toy that seemed to be driving the increase were foot-powered scooters. Starting in 1999, when the new style of scooter was introduced, they became more popular and injuries became more common.”

And CBS medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips said bluntly, “Toys are becoming more dangerous. I was very surprised to find that out.”

A total of 46 percent of toy-related injuries from ride-on toys are the results of serious falls, followed by 22 percent of injuries being caused by collisions. More than 80 percent of injuries happen at home.

No one is saying that these toys shouldn’t be purchased, necessarily, but that certain measures of protection should be taken. Dr. Smith warns that riding these toys without using the correct safety precautions can result in a number of serious injuries, such as broken bones, cuts requiring stitches, or concussions. And Smith has very simple advice on what sort of safety precautions parents should take.

“I tell parents if there were three things you could do to prevent an injury to a child riding a scooter they would be ‘wear a helmet, wear a helmet, wear a helmet. It is very important that children wear helmets; an injury to the brain can be life-long and devastating, which is why it’s important to prevent that injury in the first place.”

But it isn’t just ride-on toys that are on the naughty list. There are other types of toy dangers, as well — including choking dangers when it comes to younger children.

“For children under the age of two, the biggest issue is choking, ingestion and asphyxiation,” Dr. Phillips said.

Choking injuries accounted for 11 percent of cases overall.

To avoid that, Dr. Smith advises parents to make sure that a toy being bought for a young child is age-appropriate. Even if a child seems mature enough to play with a certain toy, often those “age suggestions” are due to small parts that can be easily removed and then swallowed, rather than whether or not a child is developmentally capable of playing with the toy. Smith also says that the toy industry should be taking more measures to improve the U.S. safety standards for toy design, as well as consumer education and better effectiveness in toy recalls.

Accidents will happen, and, as Dr. Smith concluded, “This isn’t about guilt, blame and fault. We’re not pointing fingers. A child’s occupation is play and toys are their tools. These toys can be used safely but parents need to be aware of the precautions that should be taken for certain toys to help prevent an injury.”

For the specific toys that made the list of dangerous toys, click here. Or for a different type of dangerous toy, check out this outrageous Lego set that isn’t suitable for youngsters here.

[Image via giftediam.com]