FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:

Dori Jennings

Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate

(800) 301-2020 ext.105

An Estimated 184,000 Children, Under the Age of 15, Sent to the Emergency Room for Toy-related Injuries in One Year, According to the CPSC

– Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate Declares December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month to Help Shoppers Choose the Safest Gifts for Children-

COLUMBUS, OH (Nov. 25, 2019) – Last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a report stating there were an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Forty-four percent of the estimated injuries were to the head and face area, the most commonly affected area of the body.

According to the CPSC, of the 251,700 estimated toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries, an estimated:

184,000 (73 percent) happened to children younger than 15 years of age;

174,300 (69 percent) occurred to children 12 years of age or younger;

89,800 (36 percent) happened to children younger than 5 years of age

The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness month, to help shoppers select the best gifts for children, with eye safety in mind.

For those considering purchasing sports equipment, Prevent Blindness suggests that proper sports eye protection also be included. Recommendations may be found at www.preventblindness.org/recommended-sports-eye-protectors.

Sunglasses with UV protection can be a helpful gift for adults and children. Only buy sunglasses that provide a clear statement about how much UV radiation is blocked. The label should clearly state the sunglasses block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.

For all other gift ideas, Prevent Blindness recommends:

Ensure the toy is right for the child’s ability and age. Consider whether other smaller children may be in the home and may have access to the toy.

Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges.

Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards.

Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.

Read all warnings and instructions on the box.

“By taking a few cautionary steps to give gifts that are meaningful, safe and age-appropriate for children, you can help make sure that the holidays are festive and bright,” said Sherry Williams, President & CEO of the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness.

For more information on safe toys and gifts for children, please visit preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist or call Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate at (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness serves all 88 Ohio counties, providing direct services to more than 1,000,000 Ohioans annually and educating millions of consumers about what they can do to protect and preserve their precious gift of sight. For more information or to make a contribution, call 800-301-2020. Or, visit us on the web at pbohio.org, Facebook at facebook.com/pbohio/, or Twitter at twitter.com/PB_Ohio.

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