The holidays bring a higher risk of accidental injuries, including kitchen fires, car accidents, slips and falls, and a significant number of toy-related injuries. In 2020 alone, about 150,000 children were treated in emergency departments for toy-related injuries, in addition to the eye injuries adults often experience during the season. Being thoughtful when choosing gifts can help prevent unnecessary pain and emergency room visits.
When shopping for children, watch out for toys that pose eye hazards. Items with sharp or pointed ends, such as swords, spears, drumsticks, or other narrow objects, can easily cause eye injuries during play. Toys that launch projectiles—like darts, arrows, Nerf ammo, BB guns, or spring-loaded novelty items—also present risks. Breakable toys made of glass or thin plastic can shatter into dangerous shards, and some art supplies, such as paintbrushes or pencils, may not be suitable for younger children. Choosing sturdy, age-appropriate toys made from safe materials is key.
Safer gift ideas for kids include books, puzzles, card games, craft kits, outdoor activity sets, and no-bake kitchen projects. For adults, consider consumable or experience-based gifts such as tickets, memberships, services, meals, or short getaways. Eye-safety-focused gifts—like quality sunglasses, protective sports goggles, glare-reducing e-readers, or soothing eye packs—are also thoughtful options.
After gifts are opened, safety doesn’t end. Explain proper toy use to children, supervise play when needed, inspect toys regularly for damage or battery issues, store toys securely, and keep age-appropriate boundaries between younger and older children’s toys. When sports equipment is involved, always include and enforce proper eye protection. Taking these steps can help ensure a safer, happier holiday without the need for emergency eye care.
Source: CPSC