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TOMS RIVER, New Jersey, December 7, 2007--- With the recent rush of recalls on imported toys, Community Medical Center's Pediatric Emergency Services is urging shoppers to pay closer attention to the toys they purchase this holiday season.
In observance of National Safe Toys and Gifts Month in December, Community Medical Center wants to ensure that parents and other caregivers keep safety at the top of their shopping priority lists during the nation's busiest toy-buying season, says Laurence DesRochers, M.D., FACEP, chairman of Emergency Medicine.
"Shoppers need to be vigilant and make sure the toys they purchase are safe, free of defects and age appropriate - particularly at a time when toys being recalled because of hazardous parts and lead paint only heightens safety concerns," says Dr. DesRochers, who leads a dedicated team of physicians board certified in pediatrics or emergency medicine at Community Medical Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.
Each year, about 217,000 toy-related injuries are treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide. But on average, only 15 children under age 14 die from a toy-related injury, most of which are caused by choking on small parts. Additionally, children under age 3 are at greater risk of choking because they tend to put objects - especially toys - in their mouths.
While acknowledging that Emergency Departments across the United States are successful in treating most toy-related injuries, Dr. DesRochers says that parents and other caregivers can play an important role in toy safety by following these tips adapted from the National Safe Kids Campaign, which is spearheading December's observance of National Safe Toys and Gifts Month:
- When selecting toys, consider a child's age, interests and skill level. Read toy labels for age and safety information.
- Test toys for age appropriateness by examining their size through a small parts tester available at most toy or baby specialty stores. An empty toilet paper roll also can be used. If a toy passes through the cylinder tube, it is too small for children under age 3.
- To find out whether a toy has been recalled, check the National Safe Kids Campaign Web site at www.safekids.org or sign up to receive the latest information on product recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.
- Always remove and discard packaging from a toy before giving it to a child. Carefully read instructions for assembly and use.
- Check old and new toys regularly for damages such as sharp edges or small parts. Make any repairs immediately or discard damaged toys.
- Actively supervise children when they play, paying particular attention to ensure they are kept in sight and in reach. Simply being in the same room as they play is not necessarily adequate supervision.
- Teach children to put toys away after playing to prevent falls and unsupervised play.
- Remind other caregivers, including grandparents, of these play-relate safety concerns.
Community Medical Center's Emergency Department, which earlier this year introduced a pediatric emergency service to provide care via a dedicated team of physicians board certified in pediatrics or emergency medicine and nurses, is dedicated to the safety of the children of its community. To learn more about pediatric emergency services at Community,
call 1-888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).
Contact: Kathleen Horan
Public Relations and Marketing
(732) 557-3909
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