Memphis Injury Lawyer Blog

It is that time of year again. Memphis children have begun falling asleep with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. West Tennessee parents, on the other hand, have begun the difficult task of finding Christmas goodies that are both safe and appealing. Each year in Shelby County, the hospital emergency rooms begin to see children who are injured by everything from acrobat costumes to xylophones. Unfortunately, many of these injuries are avoidable.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes reports each year that detail the types of dangerous products that have either been recalled because of potential dangers or products that have caused serious injury or death to our kids. For example, in 2007 18 children died due to a defective or dangerous toy. Over 100,000 emergency room visits for children have been linked to this same cause. Injured Kids Report

To get some understanding of the breadth of this problem, consider that the following products have been recalled due to safety concerns in just the last few months: Rage Wireless Guitar controller for use with the Wii gaming system; Swimming pool dive sticks and a child's xylophone.CPSC Report

Now that we know about the issues, we turn to prevention. According to the CSPC, the best tips for holiday shopping safety are:

* Scooters and other Riding Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.

* Small Balls and other Toys with Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

* Balloons - Children under eight yrs. can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.

* Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

* Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

Once the gifts are open:

* Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.

* Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

* Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

In the event that prevention is not successful, CPSC Chairman's Advice, then the wise parent must get help to protect their children from the results of these dangerous products. This area of the law is difficult and requires a depth of experience. We are here to help.