Toy Safety Tips

The holiday season means plenty of shopping. But when you are looking for that special toy, there are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Last year, more than 100,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for toy related injuries. By following some simple tips put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can make sure those special gifts you buy are both fun and safe.

Your main job is to become a label reader. Look for warning like "not recommended for children under three," "flame retardant" or "flame resistant." Then look for and pay attention to the age recommendation on the packaging.

But on top of all this, keep certain basic guidelines in mind. The two biggest ones being making sure a toy is free of sharp edges and that all pull toys you get have short stings, less than 12 inches, to prevent an infant from getting strangled. However, you need to keep in mind that some toys might produce sharp edges if they're broken, so avoid fragile looking ones.

It's also important you check out the toys before hand to make sure they won't be a choking hazard. The general rule here is for children, especially under three - buy them toys with individual parts that are still larger than their mouths so they won't be able to fit them in and choke.

And be very careful with toys that have magnets or button type batteries. Both of these are very dangerous and even deadly for younger children if swallowed.

Just keep these tips in mind when braving the store crowds over the next few weeks. You'll find that perfect gift and keep the holidays happy and healthy.