All parents want to keep their children safe from harm. Every parent also wants to ensure that their child is happy, and playing with toys usually promotes happiness. However, some toys can also pose a danger to your children, and it isn’t uncommon for accidents to occur when they’re playing with their favorite toys. One of the commonest injuries to occur is to the eyes. Research shows children incur about 11,000 toy-related eye injuries annually. These can be minor ones like mild corneal abrasions (scratches to the eye’s surface) or even very severe ones like a corneal ulcer, retinal tear or detachment or traumatic cataract.Some Toys that can be Dangerous While toys are specifically designed to be played with, sometimes, even the most innocent looking ones can cause a significant amount of injury to children’s eyes. Here, we discuss a number of toys that can pose a risk of eye-related injuries. While these toys don’t have to be eliminated completely, there are a few tips to follow to make them safer for kids to play with.1. Toy Weapons Toys such as guns or similar items, that propel or shoot small objects have the potential to cause a significant amount of damage to your child’s eyes. While many parents feel that it isn’t dangerous for their children to use guns that shoot pellets or BBs, these can be extremely dangerous toys. Ones that have darts or missiles are also very dangerous. Most children tend to hold these toys very close to their faces while they are pulling the trigger. If your child insists on playing with these toys, it is important that you have them use safety goggles at all times. Similarly, bows, swords, sabers,and wands are other items you need to be wary of as they too can potentially cause eye injuries.2. Sports Equipment Each year, many children sustain eye injuries while playing sports such as baseball, basketball, and racquetball. Blunt, penetrating, or even radiation, sport-related injuries can cause permanent harm to your child’s eyes. It’s important to ensure that your child is wearing appropriate eye safety wear even when they are playing with toy sports equipment.3. Laser Pointers Although laser pointers are definitely fun to play with, the beam can cause a significant amount of retinal damage if aimed at the eye even for a very short span of time. If your child’s toys include laser lights, it’s important that they are supervised closely while using them.4. Fireworks It’s never a good idea to allow children to play with explosive devices. Children tend to underestimate how dangerous fireworks can be. Even a very small explosion close to the eye can prove to be devastating and can cause burns and injuries. If your child is going to set off fireworks, it’s important that you insist they use safety goggles or protective eyewear. As a parent, it’s also your responsibility to educate your child about how to maintain safety while playing with toys. If you want more information, feel free to contact Vizavance or give us a call at 405-848-7123. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.
