TOY GUIDE FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED KIDS [ back to What's New ]
Pediatric brain injuries associated with use or innocent, foreseeable misuse of toys. Every year America's children receive a staggering 1.6 billion new toys. Every year there are 165,000 injuries and a few dozen deaths. More than half of all deaths come from choking. The Consumer Product Safety Commission tries to identify toys which cause a choking hazard and requires manufacturers to use a warning label for children aged 3-5. Other hazards include burns from toy ovens, hearing loss from toys which simulate firecrackers or involve a blast of compressed air and eye injuries from dart guns and bottle rockets.

How can you find out about toy hazards? The CPSC maintains a consumer hotline at 1-800-638-2772. Press releases can be obtained on demand via fax at 301-504-0051 or by browsing the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov. Another source of information is the website at www.kidsource.com which lists toy recalls.

Children with central nervous system injuries or disorders who may be at risk from playing with toys designed for completely able-bodied kids can obtain toys with special safety features. Toys-R-Us publishes a Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids in association with the National Parent Network on Disabilities and National Lekotek Center. To request a copy write to Toys "R" Us, Guide for Differently-Abled Kids P.O. Box 4422, River Edge, New Jersey 07661-9894 or inquire at your local store.