Toy-giving safety is no game

Potential kid killers lurk beneath bright-colored bows at Christmas, experts say.

Emergency room doctors and child-safety experts warn parents to watch during the gift-giving season for toys that might have been recalled or are not safe for their child's age. Sometimes, accidents happen because parents just don't watch their kids closely enough.

Injuries from toys bring hundreds of children each year to the emergency room at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, emergency room doctor Richard Saladino said. He cites three factors placing children in jeopardy.

"Younger kids on wheeled toys are not as coordinated, causing a strong likelihood to fall. Another problem is inappropriate supervision and use of wheeled toys. Anytime kids are playing near traffic and on the street there is always a dangerous issue. The third issue is the learning curve. They are not as skilled at using the toy," he said.

Children's emergency room visits spike around the holidays, Saladino said.

A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission list of recalled products warns of small parts easily removed from toys, loose screws, toxic ingredients, faulty mechanical systems and poor basic design that can cause injury or death.

Hundreds of children's products were recalled by the Safety Commission this year -- some after children were injured.

For example, 80 incidents with Fisher-Price scooters and mini-bikes left kids with broken bones and cuts. Motor control circuits continued to run after the throttle button was released, according to the commission.

Multicolored sidewalk chalk distributed by Target and Toys "R" Us stores also was pulled. The chalk contained enough lead to poison children.

Many injuries, experts say, can be prevented by using age labels to put the right toys in the right kid's hands. Safety Commission spokeswoman Nychelle Fleming said some people believe age ranges are about intelligence and ability.

In reality, she said, it's all about safety.

"Check recall lists before you shop ... be a good label-reader. Use those as a guide. It helps narrow things down when you are overwhelmed at some of these larger stores," Fleming said.

Anne Goldman, 28, of Point Breeze, knows how easily something can go wrong with a toy in the hands of her 3-year-old son.

"My son was playing with a firetruck, the metal kind. He pulled a piece of plastic off -- I don't know how. I was in the kitchen. I heard him breathing wrong. He started coughing and wheezing. I went to call 911, and he coughed it up. After that, we asked for books or videos from other people."

Most accidents can be prevented with proper supervision and playing with age-appropriate toys. Tips for giving the right toy for the child's age:

Infants: Try crib and floor gyms, activity quilts, squeaky toys and soft dolls or stuffed animals.

1 to 3: Don't give them anything they can chew on or swallow. Soft blocks, larger blocks, things that don't have little pieces, push or pull toys, books with pictures, and nontoxic modeling clay are good gifts.

3 to 5: Nontoxic art supplies or pretend toys such as telephones and cash registers are great.

5 to 9: Arts and crafts items, books and puppets are simple and don't present danger to kids in this age group.

Older than 9: Sports equipment, bikes and scooters are popular, but givers have to think of the motor-skill level of the child. Make sure the gift is given with a helmet and pads.

Source: Philip Morrissey, Allegheny County Health Department

Recently recalled toys

Toys recently recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: