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  • February 18, 2025
When buying toys, consider the ages of all the children in the house, not just the recipient

When buying toys, consider the ages of all the children in the house, not just the recipient

Iowa – An emergency physician is urging Iowa parents and anyone buying gifts for children this holiday season to closely monitor labeling and only buy age-appropriate toys, crafts and sporting goods.

Dr. Benjamin Orozco, of Gundersen Health System, says you should pay close attention to the packaging for age recommendations, but he emphasizes that this shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.

It’s crucial to use common sense when buying gifts for children, he says, especially if there are younger siblings in the house.

The dangers are different for older children and teens, and a full complement of safety equipment is a must for many purchases.

He says agencies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission do a good job of keeping dangerous toys off the shelves, but every now and then something slips through.

Some new toys are still covered in dangerous lead-based paint, usually items imported from other countries, so beware. Orozco encourages the purchase of games, balls and other activity-related toys for children to play outside to stimulate their minds and bodies