CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The holiday season presents plenty of opportunities to spread cheer and bring joy into the lives of others. That’s particularly true for parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles of young children. Few things are more enjoyable come the holiday season than watching a youngster’s eyes light up upon receiving a sought-after gift.

Well-meaning adults and even older kids anxious to give a younger sibling or cousin a coveted gift must remember to keep safety in mind when shopping for especially young children. Certain toys may pose a threat to children age five and under. As holiday shoppers begin to search for gifts for children in that age group, they might want to avoid the following types of toys.

• Toys with lots of small pieces: Toys with small, detachable pieces can be hazardous to kids age five and under because kids might intentionally or mistakenly put the tiny pieces into their mouths, which increases their risk of choking. Legos are a wildly popular gift come the holiday season, but it’s important that shoppers read the package and purchase a Lego set that’s age appropriate. According to a recent report from Consumer Product Safety Commission, 9 percent of toy-related injuries in kids age four and younger occurred while the children were playing with building sets. Though building sets provide a host of benefits, not the least of which is the fun children get from playing with them, it’s imperative to purchase age-appropriate sets.
• Toys with an electronic component: Toys with electronic components can pose a number of dangers to children five and under. Such products can heat up, potentially causing burns. And wire coverings can fray over time and thus expose children to electrical currents. When shopping for children five and younger, skip toys with an electrical component.
• Motorized gifts: Motorized gifts like scooters, cars and non-traditional bicycles also pose a threat to children five and younger. Motorized gifts may reach speeds that kids cannot safely manage, as youngsters’ motor skills are not fully developed by age five.
• Toys with sharp points: Sharp points also pose a threat to children five and younger. Kids can easily suffer lacerations, eye injuries or other issues that pose a threat to their physical safety when playing with toys with sharp points or edges. Toys with soft, rounded edges and no points are ideal for children age five and under.
• Projectile toys: Toys that shoot projectiles pose a danger to children and anyone who happens to be in the room with youngers playing with such items. Eye injuries and bruises are two injuries that can occur when children five and under play with projectiles.

The chance to light up a child’s eyes with the perfect gift is part of what makes the holiday season such a special time of year. But it’s imperative that shoppers find age-appropriate toys for children. TF25C416

SOCIAL MEDIA TEXT: Well-meaning adults and even older kids anxious to give a younger sibling or cousin a coveted gift must remember to keep safety in mind when shopping for especially young children.