The holidays are a time for joy, family, and making memories. But it’s essential to know the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath the festive cheer. Jeffrey Killino and his team of child and birth injury lawyers see the devastating consequences of preventable accidents all too often.
Alarming Statistics from the CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released its latest report on toy-related deaths and injuries, revealing some sobering statistics:
- 154,700 children were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries in 2023.
- Ten children died in toy-related incidents.
- Non-motorized scooters accounted for the largest share of injuries (53,000).
- Choking, drowning, and entrapment were the leading causes of toy-related deaths.
Beyond Toys: Other Holiday Hazards
The CPSC also highlights other holiday dangers that can lead to serious injuries:
- Holiday decorating: Falls, cuts, and electrical shocks from holiday lights and decorations. 160 decorating-related injuries occur each day during the holiday season.
- Cooking fires: Cooking fires spike on Thanksgiving Day, with an average of 1,400 fires – three times the daily average.
- Poisonous plants: Festive plants like mistletoe and holly can be toxic if ingested.
- Button batteries: These small batteries found in many holiday items can cause serious internal burns if swallowed.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: Improper use of space heaters and fireplaces can lead to carbon monoxide buildup.
Protecting Your Children This Holiday Season
Here are some tips to keep your children safe from harm during the holidays:
- Choose age-appropriate toys: Follow age guidance on toy packaging.
- Supervise children: Never leave young children unattended with toys or decorations.
- Check for recalls: Before buying or using any product, check the CPSC website.
- Practice fire safety: Keep Christmas trees watered, don’t overload electrical outlets, and never leave candles unattended.
- Be mindful of choking hazards: Keep small objects and toys away from young children.
- Store toys safely: Teach children to put toys away after playing to prevent tripping hazards.
- Secure furniture: Anchor furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs.
- Install safety gates: Use safety gates to block stairs and other dangerous areas.
- Supervise cooking: Keep children away from hot stoves and ovens.
- Be aware of poisonous plants: Keep holiday plants out of reach of children.
- Dispose of button batteries safely: Keep button batteries out of reach and dispose of them properly.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors: Ensure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors.
Child & Birth Injury Lawyers: Your Advocates for Child Safety
At Child & Birth Injury Lawyers, we’re dedicated to protecting children from preventable injuries. If your child has been injured due to a defective product or unsafe environment, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll fight to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation your child deserves.
