Keep Eye Safety in Mind When Choosing Toys This Holiday

Jefferson City, Missouri -- Imagine a BB gun pellet striking your child's eye with enough force to knock him to the ground. Sadly, some popular children's gifts around the holidays can cause serious eye injuries. In recognition of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and  Surgeons (MoSEPS) reminds parents of the dangers that toys may pose to children's eyes and offers tips on how to choose safe toys for gift-giving.

A serious eye injury from a toy can ruin your family's holiday and, more seriously leave your child with permanent vision loss. Children receive all types of potentially unsafe presents during the holidays, including BB guns, darts, pellet guns and paintball guns.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 235,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2008; nearly three quarters of those injured were children under age 15.

With so many toys being recalled or having the potential to cause injuries, many parents are wondering what toys are safe. Sports equipment, a popular gift, should also include the protective eyewear. Sports-related eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss and account for about 40,000 eye injuries annually.

Tips for a safe holiday season:

- Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.

- Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause injury.

- If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your local eye specialist to learn about protective gear recommended for your child's sport.

- Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity.

- Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

- The branches and needles of Christmas trees can be hazardous to the eyes, so be especially careful when untying your tree. The branches can burst forward, hitting and injuring your eyes. Glass ornaments should be hung out of a child's reach to avoid potential injury.

For more information about eye safety and eye injuries, go to

www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/injuries/