Home 9 Products Liability 9 Keep your children’s eyes safe by watching out for toy safety

Keep your children’s eyes safe by watching out for toy safety

Recently we discussed the importance of keeping toy safety in mind as you go about your Christmas shopping. Nothing can kill the festive mood of the holidays like a trip to the emergency room, or the news that an avoidable toy-related accident could have lasting consequences for your child’s health.

More than 250,000 toy-related injuries land children in emergency rooms each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nearly half of these injuries affect the head or face and a child’s eyes can be particularly vulnerable to damage.

Toys that involve projectiles, such as BB guns, airsoft guns and anything that shoots parts into the air, are especially likely to result in damage to delicate eye tissue. Resulting injuries can include corneal abrasion, ocular hyphema, traumatic cataract, and increased intraocular pressure.

To prevent these injures, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers some tips for safe play this holiday season:

  • Avoid toys with sharp or projectile parts.
  • Supervise children appropriately, especially during games that could result in eye injury.
  • If appropriate, make sure children wear eye-protecting gear.
  • Follow age recommendations for toys, which consider a child’s development and safety.
  • Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.

Manufacturers and distributors of dangerous toys may be held liable for any injury resulting from those toys, especially if they were aware of the potential danger but failed to act on it. Claims may also arise from dangerous packaging, substandard parts or failure to provide adequate instructions and safety warnings.

If you or a loved one have been hurt by a defective product such as a dangerous toy, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney experienced in product liability matters. They can help you review your case, investigate the product and pursue any appropriate legal claims.

Source: Newswise, “Ophthalmologists Caution Parents: Hazardous Toys Are Responsible for Thousands of Eye Injuries Each Year,” Dec. 4, 2012

Veron Bice Logo

Lake Charles, Louisiana

337-310-1601

We Win Cases They Now Teach in Law Schools

Veron Bice attorneys group photo