Considering that December is a month jam-packed with holidays in which gifts are often bought for children, it’s not too surprising that December makes the perfect National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Over the years, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has improved the safety of toys by leaps and bounds due to the implementation of extensive toy safety testing requirements. However, there are still a number of things that you should do to ensure that the toys you give as gifts are safe for children to use. The following are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid balloons: Balloons may seem like a lot of fun as a child, but they can be quite dangerous for children under the age of eight. This is because they can easily choke on or suffocate on balloons that are broken or deflated.
• Avoid toys with small parts: If you are buying a toy for a child under three, avoid giving them toys that contain small parts so that they won’t swallow them, as they can cause choking.
• Provide safety gear: If you are getting a riding toy for a child, such as a skateboard, a scooter, or roller skates, then make sure you also provide safety gear (such as a helmet and knee pads) that properly fit the child.
• Throw away packaging: The packaging or plastic wrapping for many toys can become a safety hazard if you don’t discard it immediately.
• Supervise battery charging: If you give a young child a toy that requires batteries, make sure that they understand that they need an adult to supervise the battery charging. Always read the instructions and warnings on any toy that comes with batteries. Some chargers don’t have mechanisms to prevent overcharging, which can be dangerous if a child attempts to charge a battery.

These are a few safety tips to keep in mind for National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. We want to provide you and your family with important health and safety information, so contact The Benefits Store for advice and information concerning all California Medical Plans.