THE Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) and Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) are encouraging parents and guardians to prioritise children’s health and well-being when shopping for toys this Christmas.

Director of Communication at the CAC, Latoya Halstead, says although toys provide fun, they can also pose potential risks, including hearing loss.

“We are, therefore, encouraging adults to avoid buying toys that make a loud sound and discourage children from placing noise-emitting toys close to their ears, as this can result in even greater damage to hearing,” said Halstead.

Toys, such as cap guns and musical instruments, can emit sounds as loud as 120 decibels, equating to the noise the engine of a jet emits as the aircraft prepares to take off.

“Instead, you should look for toys that are designed for the child’s age group and read the labels before buying to ensure that the instructions are clear. Ensure the toy does not have small, detachable parts that could pose a choking hazard, or sharp edges that could cause injuries,” added Halstead.

She argued that in addition to creative play, toys should help to foster a child’s development, enhancing both fine and gross motor skills.

According to Halstead, toys can also be excellent tools for children’s emotional growth and social development.

She underscored that video game safety should be another key consideration during the Yuletide season and has urged parents to check the ratings on game packaging.

“By checking the ratings you can determine if the game is appropriate for the age range of the child for whom it is being purchased. For instance, games rated ‘T’ for ‘teen’ have content that is unsuitable for children under 13. The better choice is games that are rated either ‘EC’ for ‘Early Childhood’ or ‘E’ for ‘everyone’,” Halstead explained.

She also cautioned against allowing children to participate in risky activities at entertainment venues.

Halstead urged parents to avoid allowing children, especially those under 16, to use trampolines or ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) unsupervised.

She pointed out that these activities are more suitable for adults and pose significant safety risks to children.

In the meantime, JFB Deputy Commissioner Sean Martin has encouraged parents to pay close attention to batteries in toys.

He cautioned that when battery-operated toys are brought into the home, parents and guardians must check the power sources regularly for leaks and corrosion.

“Also, if a toy’s battery is dead, remove it. Do not mix old batteries with new ones, as this could lead to leaks and, potentially, fires,” said Martin.

He added: “You also need to know the lifespan of the batteries that you are using. Alkaline batteries, like Duracell, last longer than regular batteries, but over time, these batteries can swell or leak,” added Martin.

Regarding toys with rechargeable batteries, Martin is encouraging parents to observe the manufacturer’s instructions, as improper charging could lead to overheating or even fires.

— JIS