Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2021

HEALTHY LIVING
Story by Luke Height
story by Luke Height GIVING THE GIFT OF SAFETY
Through hurricanes and the wild storms that find their way to the beautiful Gulf Coast, we always use the motto, “Safety First.” However, this isn’t the only situation in which we need to think about safety first. Prevent Blindness America, a non-profit organization on a mission to preserve sight, has declared December Safe Toys & Gifts Month.
This holiday season, as we go out in search of the perfect gifts for our loved ones, we need to keep safety in mind. The research shows injuries happen to children while playing with toys in the hundreds of thousands every year. Since we are the gift givers, we need to be conscious and aware of the age range for the gift recipient and gift accordingly.
Miner’s Big Stuff Doll & Toy Store and Jak’s, two local toy stores, have professionals that can help identify what age range a toy is meant for and help their customers choose accordingly. But it’s ultimately up to each of us gift givers to be conscientious about our toy choices.
Even when donating to a local Salvation Army, it’s important to give toys for young children that are safe. Of course, small children can play with soft balls, rings, and other toys, they just need to be a size that they can’t swallow or choke on.
To help support this cause and be a part of the Safe Toys and Gift Month, make sure to check age ranges on toys, follow some of the guidelines and ask the professionals at your local toy stores for advice. This way, every gift is special and able to be enjoyed by the child without the terror of an injury occurring.
Here’s a list of some things to look out for when it comes to smaller children’s gifts:
– Small toys and toys with small parts – Sharp edges and sharp points
– Toys that fly or shoot objects
– Cords and strings
– Toys with magnets – Loud noises
– Electric toys
90 | December 2021
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