The Best Gift you can Give is to be a Friend
December is Write to a Friend Month

• Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.
• Inspect all toys as much as possible before taking them out of the box.  Once opened, go through each part of the toy to make sure there are no small parts that could be choking hazards or sharp edges.
• Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. BB guns and air guns should not even be considered toys.  Flying toys caused 9,600 injuries in 2008.
• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles, a baseball with a batting helmet with a face shield).  In fact, 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented by using the appropriate eye protection.
• Educate yourself on what products have been recalled.  Contact the CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or go to www.cpsc.gov.
• Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.  Closely monitor all activities to make sure smaller children do not have access to toys that are not at their age-appropriate level.
• Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.  Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.
• Never give toys with small parts to young children.  If a part of a toy can fit inside a toilet paper roll, the toy is considered a choking hazard and is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.