Iowans Urged to Keep All Kids in Mind When Buying Holiday Gifts
As holiday shopping ramps up, an emergency physician is reminding Iowans to think about every child in the household before purchasing toys, crafts, or sporting goods.
Dr. Benjamin Orozco with Emplify Health by Gundersen says age recommendations on packaging are important — but they shouldn’t be the only factor.
“When you’re shopping for a toy, you need to consider all the kids in the house, not just the recipient of that toy,” Orozco says. “Disasters are rare, but about a dozen kids in the U.S. die each year from a toy-related incident, and around 250,000 are injured.”
He says extra caution is needed in homes with toddlers or young children.
“The most vulnerable for catastrophic injuries from choking or swallowing small objects are kids four and under,” Orozco says. “That toddler range is especially risky because they’re going to be putting things into their mouths.”
For older kids and teens, the hazards are different — and proper safety equipment is essential.
Dr. Benjamin Orozco (Gundersen photo)
“Scooters account for many significant injuries, from broken wrists and bruises to sometimes serious head injuries,” he says. “My advice is to put the safety gear right with the toy. If you buy a scooter, include the helmet and any other gear you expect to be used.”
While the Consumer Product Safety Commission works to keep unsafe toys off the market, Orozco notes that occasional dangerous products still slip through — including powerful magnet toys that caused life-threatening intestinal injuries when swallowed by small children. He also warns that some imported toys may still contain hazardous lead-based paint.
Orozco encourages families to choose games, balls, and other activity-based gifts that get kids moving and thinking.
Emplify Health by Gundersen operates clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville, and Waukon, as well as a hospital in West Union.
