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Summer Safety Tips
At Toys"R"Us, we know how much kids enjoy summertime – school is out and days are filled with fun-in-the-sun activities like bike riding, swimming and playing outdoor games with siblings and friends. But, did you know that accidental injuries peak during the summer months?
Since nothing is more important to Toys"R"Us than the safety of our children, we have teamed up with Safe Kids Worldwide to create this list of important safety tips to help you and your kids prevent accidental injuries and have a safe and happy summer.
Bike Safety
- At the start of the summer, inspect bikes for safety by checking for loose bolts, under- or over-inflated tires, faulty brakes and gears, and rusty or deteriorating structures.
- A child should stand flat-footed on the floor and straddle the bike.
- At that point, the child should have a minimum of 2" clearance between their inseam and the top bar of the bike's frame. If there is no top cross bar on the bike's structure, the same 2" rule should apply while imagining a bar in place.
- The following general guidelines can also be used as a reference when determining the right size bike for a child, dependent on age and height:
- Ages 1½ to 4 (26" tall to 38" tall) = 10" and 12" bikes
- Ages 4 to 8 (34" tall to 48" tall) = 16" bike
- Ages 6 to 11 (36" tall to 54" tall) = 20" bike
- Teen (54" tall to 60" tall) = 24" bike
- Adult (62" tall+) = 26" bike
- Ensure brake cables and pads are working properly. Try the brakes each time before riding for safer stops.
- Tires must be properly inflated. Under-inflated tires could mean poor traction when a child needs it most, and over-inflated tires could blow out causing a child to lose control. Use the manufacturer's instructions on the tire sidewall as a guide.
- Make sure to watch for potholes, cracks, rocks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks or anything that could cause a rider to lose control of the bike.
- Teach kids to ride so drivers can see them. Until you are comfortable with your child's street sense, they should not ride alone or stray far from home.
- Children should not ride after dark, especially without wearing retro-reflectors or other visible, protective gear.
- Don't forget to remind kids to always look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Riders should dismount the bike and walk on the crosswalk to the other side of the street, only when it's clear.
- Red lights, stop signs and all other traffic signs and signals should be respected at all times when riding. And, remind kids to give cars and pedestrians the right of way.
Scooter and Skateboard Safety
- Even the most experienced scooter, skateboard and bike riders wear helmets, elbow and knee pads, and additional protective gear each and every time they go out – as should your child.
- Shock absorbing pads with adjustable straps and air vents are most efficient in ensuring safety.
- Most protective gear comes in small, medium and large sizes to provide the perfect fit.
- Kids should never hold onto cars or other vehicles while riding; nor should they wear anything that restricts hearing, including listening to radios, MP3 players or phones via ear pieces while riding.
- Whether riding a bike, skateboard or scooter, the above general safety guidelines apply to all riders at all times.
Choosing the Right Helmet for Safe Riding
- Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, wearing a helmet is essential, as no piece of gear is more important. Make sure to choose a helmet that is approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Ensure the child's helmet of choice fits properly. When in doubt, check with an associate at your local Toys"R"Us store to assist with the following guidelines:
- Rim of helmet should be 1 – 2 finger-width above the eyebrows
- Adjust helmet straps so they form a "V" just beneath the earlobe
- Helmets should always be worn with the chin strap buckle fastened and the strap pulled tight – make sure the buckle is flush against the skin under the chin when the child's mouth is open
- A helmet needs to fit snugly on the head from day one. Don't buy a helmet that is too big in anticipation of future use.
Backyard and Street Safety
- Before summer play, inspect swing sets and regularly used play areas for hazards like product deterioration, unstable parts, electric wires, cords or lack of protective barriers (i.e. fences around pools).
- Use safety gates or other barriers to keep younger children away from areas unfit for their age or abilities, including the top and bottom of stairs. However, supervision is paramount.
- Teach children to use playground and playing fields with rubber, wood, mulch or sand surfaces. Grass and dirt are not as good at preventing serious injuries. Avoid asphalt.
- Kids should never play in the road. Warn drivers of children at play by using curb-side safety signs. Also, teach children that if a ball rolls into the street, to look left, right and left again for danger before walking, not running, to retrieve it.
- Children should try to dress in bright colors or wear retro-reflective materials so drivers can easily see them.
- Always keep First Aid kits on hand in case of emergencies ranging from bee stings to splinters to cuts, bumps and bruises.
Pool and Water Safety
- Inspect in-ground and above-ground pools, and surrounding areas, for hazards like electric wires, cords or lack of protective barriers (i.e. fences around pools).
- Always watch children near water and teach them to never swim alone. Leaving children unsupervised is dangerous, even when safety gates and other precautions are in place.
- Following a fun day in a backyard wading pool or on the waterslide, be sure to empty the water and turn the pool over, so children do not have access to the water.
- Teach kids to swim when they're ready. The recommended age is 4 years old. Children should always wear the right type and size lifejacket when in or around water.
- Enforce 'No Horseplay' rules - children should not run, push or jump on others around water.
- Learn infant and child CPR and other life-saving, First Aid maneuvers.
Toys"R"Us offers the best and broadest selection of bikes, boards, toys, pools, swing sets, gear and accessories to help parents make the summer months safe and fun for the entire family. The following are examples of some of the summer play items available at Toys"R"Us stores and www.Toysrus.com.
- Bikes, Scooters and Skateboards
- Helmets and Protective Gear
- Safety Gates
- Swing Sets
- Pools, Waterslides and Water Toys
- Flotation Devices and Swimmies
- Pool Covers and Locks
- Safety Signs
- First Aid
Safe Toy Shopping and Play Tips
1. Select Age-Appropriate Toys – Check toy packaging for the manufacturer's recommended age. Age guidelines are not only for safety, but also to ensure that your child is not frustrated or bored with a toy. Don't base your purchases solely on the toys a child wants – be sure you are buying a toy that will be fun AND safe! Also, in advance of special occasions, remind gift-givers about your child's skills, abilities and interests, as well as the importance of age grading.
2. Consult the Experts – Don't know what toys or baby products to buy? Have questions about product assembly or what's right for a specific child? Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us associates are trained and knowledgeable toy and baby product experts who can help you find the right merchandise for the children you're buying for.
3. Examine Packaging and Toys – Before you purchase a toy, make sure that its packaging isn't opened or torn, which could indicate that the toy may have been damaged. Also, check the toy's design and construction – the higher the quality, the better the toy's chance of withstanding wear and tear. Once at home, check the toy to ensure that pieces aren't missing and that all instructions, warranty and product registration information are included. This is also important when your children open gifts on special occasions – among the excitement, you want to confirm that your child's gifts are in good condition.
4. Read the Directions – If toys require assembly, make sure you follow the directions closely. This is especially important when planning to assemble toys the night before big events, like birthdays and Christmas. If possible, don't wait until the last minute to read the directions – this will help avoid unforeseen hazards that may arise from incorrect assembly. Also, make sure you read the toy's instructions to your child to ensure that he/she knows how to use it safely.
5. Discard Packaging Materials – Before giving the toy to your child, remove and discard all packaging, but be sure to save the instructions and registration information. Many children's toys are packaged securely in boxes, with plastic ties or pieces holding them in place – these can be hazardous to a small child if left within reach. Don't forget to mail in the registration/warranty cards so you are alerted if any safety problems arise.
6. Stay Informed – Be educated about the toys your children play with. Here, on our Safety website, you can find great tips and advice about toy safety, as well as information about recalled baby and juvenile products sold in Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores. You can also sign up to receive email updates about toy recalls. In addition, all of our stores feature Safety Boards that post recall information, including the product name, item number, description, recall timeframe and photo. Information about all consumer product recalls can also be found online at www.Recalls.gov or www.CPSC.gov.
7. Inspect the Toy Box – Parents should regularly inspect toys in their home for broken parts, missing pieces or other hazards. Do not hesitate to throw out toys that are worn or broken. Toys that require battery power should be checked to ensure that batteries are not leaking or accessible to children. It's always a good idea to periodically clean all of the toys your children play with – especially when you have multiple children in the house.
8. Remember the Safety Gear – If you purchase toys with wheels, such as bikes, tricycles, skateboards and in-line skates, make sure that the child has the necessary safety gear, like helmets and pads, in the appropriate size. It would be disappointing not to have all of the right safety gear on hand to try out a new bike, skates or other ride-on toy right away.
9. Store Toys Safely – If an older child has toys that are inappropriate for younger siblings (small parts, sharp edges, electrical needs, etc.), find a safe place where these toys can be kept out of reach of small hands. While sharing is important, parents need to keep in mind that children of different ages have different safety needs. And, if your child receives a toy that will be appropriate after an upcoming birthday, do not hesitate to put the toy away until the actual birthday.
10. Supervise Play – Children should be monitored when at play to ensure their safety and to make sure their toys are properly used. Parents, caregivers and older siblings/relatives should serve as role models to show children the correct and safe way to play and use toys. This is especially important during family gatherings when kids of all ages get together to play!
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