December is known as Safe Toys and Gifts Month, a celebration aimed at raising awareness so that more parents, friends, and family members purchase toys and gifts that are safe for kids to use. Some common toys and children’s products can cause injury or serious issues that could cause you to seek out children’s eye care or serious medical attention. Instead, keep your family safe with some simple precautions.

Types of Toys That May Not Be Safe

When purchasing toys for kids, it’s generally a good idea to steer clear of anything that might accidentally poke or fly into their eyes. These can include toy guns or launchers that shoot projectiles or long plastic swords or wands. You should also be wary of toys that light up like laser pointers or bright flashlights since intense lights shone in the eye can lead to vision loss.

How to Keep Kids Safe

As a parent, you can help to keep your kids safe by limiting their access to potentially dangerous toys. Avoid buying gifts that could cause injury, and try to explain to other family members and friends what type of gifts you deem safe. It’s also a good idea to supervise young kids while they’re playing and schedule regular visits with a children’s eye care specialist.

What You Should Do If Toys Cause Eye Trauma

If your child experiences a toy-related eye injury, you should schedule a visit with your Optometrist right away so they can evaluate the damage and provide you with the right treatment plan. Additionally, it’s important to keep your child from rubbing or scratching the injured eye, since that may hinder the healing process.

If you’re looking for a children’s eye care specialist to help your kids stay safe and healthy this holiday season, contact Dr. Michael R. Schmit. The Optometrist serves families throughout the Cincinnati area, providing personalized vision care backed by more than 30 years of experience. Patients can receive eye exams as well as contact lenses and glasses available in plenty of designer frames. The entire team is dedicated to making sure each patient enjoys a comfortable and pleasant experience. Visit the website to see a full list of services or call (513) 741-8811 to request an appointment.