The 2025 holiday season is in full swing, and a big part of that is gift giving! While shopping for toys for little ones can be fun, it can also be stressful because we want to keep our kids and pets safe. Prevent Blindness America has deemed December Safe Toys and Gifts Month as a way to share best practices and things to keep in mind when giving toys and gifts. Here are a few suggestions:
- First and foremost, make sure the toy is appropriate for the age and skill level of the child receiving it. There is usually information on the packet to help you make that decision.
- Avoid toys that have little pieces that "shoot out" or are designed to come off. These can be dangerous for kids and pets alike as they are often curious and put things in their mouths. (Parents will probably thank you too!)
- If you are gifting a scooter or skateboard, think about including a good quality helmet with the gift as well.
- When buying crayons, markers, or paints look for ones labeled non-toxic.
- If you want to make certain that a toy is safe, you can look for an "ATSM" label which indicates that the toy passed a safety inspection from the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
Finally, no matter what toys or gifts come into the house, it's always best to supervise your children and pets as much as possible around new items. Would anyone like to share ways that they keep their kids and pets safe around the holidays?
References:
Safe Toys and Gifts Month: Choosing Safe and Age-Appropriate Gifts – Nolan County Health
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
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Kaitlyn Andres, MS, MPH
Research Associate
Program for Pet Health Equity
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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