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December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 210,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in
2005. About 6,000 of those were injuries to the eyes of children under age 15.
Children receive all sorts of potentially unsafe presents during the holidays, including BB guns, darts and sports equipment.
"While it can be difficult to resist a child's pleading for certain toys, sometimes you must for their safety," said Andrew Iwach, MD, Academy spokesperson. "Every year ophthalmologists treat the devastating injuries that seemingly safe toys can cause."
Dr. Iwach said parents should check toy labels for age recommendations and select gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and maturity.
Here are more suggestions for keeping the holiday season a safe one for children:
Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. Slingshots and even water guns are dangerous because they invite children to target other kids. BB guns should not even be considered toys.
• Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.
• Look for the letters “ASTM.” This means the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
• Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.
• Read directions carefully and follow suggested age levels. Ask yourself if the toy is right for your child’s ability and age.
• Repair or throw away damaged toys.
• Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
• Make a list of safety rules and share them with your child. If your child is playing with friends, tell everyone your safety rules.
• Remain aware of recalled products. For further information on toy and product recalls, visit the U.S. Product Safety Commission Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
This Year,
Give the Gift the Stars Sport: la Loop
La LOOP is a new, popular solution to carrying your sunglasses. These necklaces run the gamut from silver and sleek to colorful and funky, and they all sport a loop with a patented hinge that moves laterally and vertically - so that once you hang your sunglasses on the loop, they stay still no matter how you move. Though the company was founded in 1999, it wasn't until Hollywood came calling, that the jewelry really began to catch on. Costume designer Jeffrey Kurland bought 20 at retail in Robert Marc, and put one on Julia Roberts in 2001's "America's Sweethearts."
Fashion photographer Mario Testino bought 50 to give as Christmas presents. Rod Stewart wore one on the cover of one of his albums. And Brad Pitt sported one in "Ocean's Twelve."
Now La LOOP is sold in 600 stores worldwide - Bergdorf Goodman, Fred Segal, Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, and the MoMA and Whitney stores among them . There are 100 locations in Japan alone and a presence everywhere from Australia to Belgium.
The company has also expanded to include the SportLOOP, a sporty version of the original, and La Leash, a lanyard-esque clip, cord and (sometimes) case combination to keep other accessories like keys and cell phones close and corralled. (The latter has also yielded an amusing profusion of names, including Le Pod for iPods, Le Pass for passports, and Le Case for Blackberrys.) For more details visit www.laloop.com.
Buy Your la Loop at MyOptics.
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