For Immediate Release

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-791-7627
Email: john@jgpr.net

Burlington Fire Department Provides Toy Safety Tips

BURLINGTON – As residents continue their holiday shopping, the Burlington Fire Department is reminding everyone of several safety tips to consider when selecting gifts, especially for young children.

“It’s always rewarding to give kids toys they’ll enjoy for the holidays, but I hope that parents will keep safety concerns in mind to ensure their children can remain safe while playing,” Chief Steven Yetman said. “These safety tips provide valuable guidance and will help residents prevent needless injuries in young children.”

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2016 there were an estimated 240,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms in the United States. Of these injuries, 39 percent were classified as lacerations, contusions or abrasions, and 45 percent were to the head and face area, the most commonly affected area of the body.

To prevent injury, the Burlington Fire Department recommends the following tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

Shopping for Gifts:

• Check for safety labels that say the toy is non-toxic as well as age recommendations for the item;
• Find games that meet your child’s abilities, age, and interest; and
• Pick products with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) label. The label means that it has met the national safety standards.

Toy Safety at Home

• Stay attentive by incorporating safe practices in their playtime.
• Remain up-to-date with recent recalls. If your child owns one of the items recalled make sure to remove it.
• Tell your child to clean up after playtime. Safely organizing toys can prevent accidents such as tripping or falling.
• Avoid toys with tiny parts for children younger than 3 years old. These small items pose a choking hazard.
• Examine toys for safety hazards, pointed edges, and broken pieces.
• Use a small parts tester to make sure toys don’t pose a choking hazard.

For more information about toy safety standards and recalls, contact the CPSC at 301-504-7923.

###