'Ride-on' Toys Responsible For Majority Of Toy-related Injuries
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Ride-on toys are responsible for the vast majority of toy-related injuries, a new study reveals.
According to research from The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and scientists from schools including Penn, "ride-on" toys -- like foot-powered scooters, tricycles and wagons -- accounted for 34.9% of injuries and 42.5% of hospital admissions.
Furthermore, toy-related injuries as a whole are up 39.9% from 1990. The risk of injury peaks at two years old, and boys were twice as likely to get hurt and go to the hospital as girls.
The study, which is published in Clinical Pediatrics, used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. It's reportedly "the first to comprehensively investigate toy-related injuries among children using a nationally representative data set."
Earlier this year, another group released its annual list of the most dangerous toys, which included the Radio Flyer Ziggle, another so-called "ride-on" toy, among others.
Of course, parents who are unwilling to forgo getting their child a red wagon or a trike might be in need of some advice. Gary Smith, of Nationwide Children's Hospital, says there are some things parents can do to protect their kids without denying them the toys:
- Follow age restrictions and other manufacturer guidelines for all toys.
- Examine toys for small parts that could be choking hazards for young children.
- Use riding toys on dry, flat surfaces away from vehicle traffic.
- Closely supervise any child who is younger than 8 years of age on a riding toy.
- Wear helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads on scooters and other riding toys with wheels.
- Check Recalls.gov to see if toys that you own or may buy have been recalled.
To see the study, click here.
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