As the holiday arrives this year, don’t let the joy of gift-giving be accompanied by a less festive reality: toy-related injuries. An estimated 154,700 children 12 years or younger were treated in emergency rooms due to toy-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
At CentraState’s Hersh Pediatric Center, Sanjay Mehta, DO, division chief of the Pediatric Emergency Department and medical director of the Pediatric Hospitalist Program, sees firsthand how well-intentioned gifts can lead to unexpected ER visits. His advice? Choose toys with safety top of mind—because nothing dampens holiday cheer like a preventable injury.
Here’s how to help ensure holiday merriment doesn’t lead to a visit to the ER.
Be Wary of Button Batteries
These shiny, coin-sized power sources are found in everything from baby cell phones to digital pets and talking plushies. But when swallowed or inserted into the ears or the nose, they can cause serious tissue burns.
“We saw a preteen patient in the ER who stuck a battery in his ear,” Dr. Mehta explains. “It caused a lot of damage to his ear canal, and he needed complex surgery. In another case, we found a button battery in a toddler’s esophagus. He needed endoscopic surgery. The damage from these batteries can be severe, especially if they go unnoticed until symptoms appear and an X-ray reveals the cause.”
Avoiding Magnet Mayhem
Single magnets are usually harmless when swallowed. However, multiple magnets can attract each other through the intestinal walls, leading to internal tissue damage and potentially requiring emergency surgery. Toys with small magnetic parts should be kept out of reach of young children.
“It’s not just toddlers,” Dr. Mehta adds. “We’ve seen tweens and teens experimenting with magnets, too. You still need to monitor usage across age groups.”
Jump for Trampoline Safety
Trampolines may be fun, but they cause frequent injuries—and trips to the ER. Concussions and broken bones are common. To reduce risk:
- Allow only one jumper at a time
- Use safety nets around the entire perimeter
- Supervise play closely
High-Speed Hazards: e-Bikes and e-Scooters
These trendy gifts are increasingly popular—but also increasingly dangerous. Dr. Mehta notes a rise in fractures, lacerations and head injuries from motorized bike and scooter accidents.
“Personally, I don’t recommend them at all,” advises Dr. Mehta. “If you must gift one, make sure it’s for an older teen, require helmets and pads, and only allow use on neighborhood roads at appropriate speeds, not busy highways,” he advises.
He notes that e-bikes can go faster than people realize, and even responsible riders can be caught off guard by speed, traffic, or uneven terrain.
Red Flags: Other Toys to Avoid
Toys with long strings or adjustable cords pose strangulation risks, and kids may choke on the material if they swallow it. Foam toys can be pulled apart and swallowed. Even loud toys, such as siren-equipped vehicles, can damage hearing if held close to a child’s ear.
“We don’t often associate loud toys with hearing loss, but it’s something parents should be aware of—especially with toys that mimic emergency vehicles,” Dr. Mehta notes.
Additionally, vintage toys or foreign-made items may contain lead paint or other toxic materials.
How to Give the Gift of a Safe Toy
Before buying, check for:
- Age-appropriate labeling
- Safety certifications like “UL Approved” or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
- No small parts that could cause choking, strings or cords longer than 7 inches, sharp edges or easily breakable plastic
- Non-toxic materials
- Secure seams and well-fastened eyes on stuffed toys
“One way to test if a toy poses a choking hazard is to see if its smallest parts fit through a toilet paper tube,” Dr. Mehta explains. “The tube’s size is similar to the size of your child’s windpipe, so if a part can fit through, it’s potentially dangerous.”
Look for toys that encourage creativity and movement without posing unnecessary risks. When in doubt, simpler is often safer.
When and Where to Seek Care
Consider urgent care for minor cuts or easily removable foreign objects. However, in cases of swallowed items, breathing issues, head injuries or anything causing pain or distress, the emergency department is the best place to seek care.
This season, let safety be part of the celebration. Thoughtful toy choices can keep the holidays happy—and out of the ER.
PEDIATRIC SERVICES AT CENTRASTATE
Learn more about pediatric services at CentraState.
