MADISON (WITI) – In the rush to pick up the hottest toys for the kids on their lists, shoppers may not stop to consider the appropriateness of a particular gift for the intended child. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection asks consumers to put safety first when shopping for kids this holiday season.
“Many shoppers will jump at a chance to pick up the season’s hottest toys if they are in stock, but a toy’s popularity should not be the guiding factor in gift giving for children,” said Michelle Reinen, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The child’s development and the age of other children in the family needs to be considered when judging a toy’s appropriateness within a household setting.”
When you are circling the store aisles or shopping online for gifts, look for the following labels on the toy packaging or on the product page:
Some things to think about when shopping for gifts for children:
After the gifts are unwrapped, immediately gather and remove plastic wrapping, twist ties, zip ties, clamshell containers and other potentially dangerous toy packaging materials. Be mindful of younger children and keep small or pointed toys and accessories out of their reach. Lastly, make sure to read any battery charging instructions that come with toys as chargers and adapters can overheat and pose burn hazards to young children.