SHELTON, CT, November 25, 2009 – If you’re planning to give toys as gifts this holiday season, LifeCare®, Inc., a leading provider of health and productivity solutions for employers nationwide, offers the following 10 tips to help ensure that your gifts are safe and age-appropriate:
1. Always read the age recommendations and safety labels before purchasing toys. Toys should be durable enough to withstand normal use and abuse of the children in their recommended age range.
2. Ensure that all toys and stuffed animals are made from nontoxic materials.
3. When choosing toys for infants and toddlers, remember that their main method of exploration is mouthing and tasting objects. Select items that cannot possibly fit into a child’s mouth.
4. For children under the age of one, dolls should not have hair, moving eyes or jointed limbs.
5. When selecting toys for younger children, avoid small toys that can pose a choking risk (marbles, small figurines, etc.) and those with parts that are detachable or that can break off.
6. Be sure that toys have no sharp edges or parts that can trap fingers, hands, toes or feet.
7. Avoid toys with long strings or cords. Mobiles that are mounted on crib railings should be removed and hung in a higher, out-of-reach place after baby’s first two to three months.
8. Projectile toys always pose some level of riskeven those deemed appropriate for a particular age range. However, toys with soft, flexible projectiles (along with guns that shoot foam or ping-pong balls) may be appropriate for children five years of age and older.
9. Riding toys should generally have four or more widely spaced wheels, and children should be able to place their feet firmly on the ground when seated.
10. Electrical toys are not recommended for children under the age of one. Keep in mind that battery-powered toys pose a risk of acid leakage as well as a potential choking hazard if children can remove the batteries.
“In addition to selecting safe toys, parents should be diligent about checking toys periodically for signs of breakage and other potential hazards,” said LifeCare CEO, Peter G. Burki. “Individuals who want more information about toy safety can visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s web site at www.cpsc.gov. It’s an excellent resource created by the independent federal regulatory agency that sets and enforces safety standards for consumer products.”
About LifeCare®
LifeCare is a leading provider of health and productivity solutions for employers nationwide, offering cost-saving benefits that help clients reduce their most pervasive absenteeism and productivity drains, including child and elder care, caregiving support, health and wellness issues, and more. For more than two decades, LifeCare has led the work/life industry in the creation of high-quality, results-oriented programs designed to improve clients’ bottom lines. LifeCare serves 1,500 client companies with 4.5 million individuals within corporations, health plans, government agencies and unions. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.
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Notes to Editors:
LifeCare’s CEO, Peter G. Burki, is available for interview.
Media contact: Michael Civiello, 203-291-3756
This press release was distributed through PR Web by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company
listed above.