Is Any Toy Safe?
In one month this spring, the Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed recalls on six products due to high levels of lead paint, and three others due to dangers from small magnets. How to keep your child safe? Read on for tips from Cincinnati Children’s experts.
The Lowdown on Lead Poisoning
Adam Spanier, MD, MPH, PhD, medical director of the Pediatric Environmental Health and Lead Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s, says, “Toys aren’t the largest issue; they just get the most news.”
Children have a higher chance of lead exposure from paint in older homes. Usually, a child must chew on or swallow a toy to get lead poisoning. To reduce risk, Dr. Spanier suggests:
Discourage children from putting toys in their mouths.
Regularly check the Consumer Product Safety Commission for toy recalls.
Avoid purchasing the newest toys. Wait to see if they have any recalls.
Avoid brightly colored toys as they are more likely to have lead contamination.
Ask your pediatrician to evaluate your child for lead poisoning once between 9 months and 1 year and again at 2 years. Have children evaluated between ages 3-6 if they have not previously been evaluated.
Your child’s physician can test for lead poisoning and can make a referral to the Lead Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s if there is an elevated lead level.
Steer Clear of Magnets
“One magnet won’t hurt the child,” says Cincinnati Children’s radiologist Alan Oestreich, MD. “It’s when multiple magnets have been swallowed that problems occur.” The magnets attract across bowel walls and cause damage. Symptoms include vomiting and stomachache. X-rays are the only true way to detect ingested magnets. Most cases require surgery, but passing does occur. Keep safe by following these tips:
Avoid buying toys with magnets.
Buy construction toys that use shape for construction rather than magnets.
Strictly supervise children when playing with toys containing magnets.
Dr. Oestreich suggests contacting your pediatrician to schedule X-rays if you think your child has swallowed a magnet.
