Did you know that unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and under?

Keeping your children safe during the holidays and throughout the year is important. Here are some safety tips for parents:

Toy Safety

• Follow recommended age ranges on toy packages. Toys that are too advanced could be a safety hazard for younger children.
• Check the size of the toy and make sure there are no parts that could be swallowed.
• Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. If the toy is appropriate for your child, show him how to use it properly.
• For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Ages 3 and under:

• Children under age 3 can choke on small parts contained in toys or games and balls with a diameter of one and three-quarters of an inch or less. Avoid marbles, balls, and games with balls.
• Children of this age like to pull, prod, and twist toys. Watch for strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies. Also, look for toys that are well made with tightly secured eyes, noses, and other parts.
• Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Ages 3-5

• Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons.
• Avoid toys that are constructed with thin, brittle plastic that might easily break into small pieces or leave jagged edges.
• Look for household art materials, including crayons and paint sets, marked with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.
• Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

Ages 6-12

• For all children, adults should check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away.
• If buying a toy gun, be sure the barrel, or the entire gun, is brightly colored so that it's not mistaken for a real gun.
• If you buy a bicycle for any age child, buy a helmet too, and make sure the child wears it.
• Teach all children to put toys away when they're finished playing so they don't trip over them or fall on them.

Once The Gifts Are Open:

• Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
• Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
• Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

Outdoor Fun

• Make sure your child's gloves and shoes stay dry. If either becomes wet, change your child into a dry pair.
• Sledding on or into the roadway should be prohibited. Look for shallow slopes that are free of obstacles, such as trees and fences.
• Most skiing and skating injuries involve twists, sprains and strains. Prevent injuries by providing your child with competent instruction, proper equipment and appropriate supervision.
• Cutting down your own tree for the holiday may start a wonderful family tradition. Young children can pick out the tree while an adult does the chopping.

Happy Visiting

• Remember to clean up after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
• When you go out to parties, be sure the sitter knows where you can be reached, the number of the police and fire department and your pediatrician, and how to contact the poison control center.
• Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.

Consumers who have already purchased gifts should make sure they check that their gift lists do not include any of the recalled toys or children's products on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site.

Sources: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics