Holiday Gift Giving: Avoid Loud Toys and Choking Hazards

Before placing gifts under the tree or buying for your grandchildren, make sure they are safe. Some toys contain lead and other toxins, while others pose choking hazards or may cause hearing issues. Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Audiologist Kristin Schmidt, MA, FAAA, advises checking toy noise levels before buying them.

“Young children’s auditory systems are still developing, so they are more vulnerable to inner-ear damage from loud sounds,” Schmidt says. She also recommends considering how close the toy will be to a child’s ear. For example, a 1-year-old’s shorter arm length means the toy is held closer than a 6-year-old’s.

Check Toy Noise Levels Before Buying

“There are apps that measure noise levels,” says Schmidt. “Measure the toy’s sound from the distance your child will be hearing it. If the toy exceeds 70 dB, choose something else.”

To put this in perspective:

• A riding lawn mower is about 90 dBA.
• A beeping smoke alarm is about 95 dBA.

If you’ve already bought a loud toy or it’s on your child’s wish list, Schmidt offers some solutions. “When purchasing noisy toys, look for ones with volume control or an on/off button. If you already own toys that exceed safe noise limits, you can put duct tape over the speaker, remove the batteries, or throw it away.”

Protect Kids’ Hearing With Tablets and Headphones

If your child uses an iPad or headphones, HealthyChildren.org suggests precautions to protect their hearing. Encourage kids to keep the volume at 50 percent or lower and consider using noise-cancelling headphones instead of earbuds.

Watch for Choking Hazards During Holiday Gift-Giving

Noise isn’t the only concern during holiday gift-giving. Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Pediatrician Wendi Johnson, MD, FAAP, recommends a simple way to check for choking hazards.

“Years ago, I learned about the toilet paper tube test. It’s an affordable way to determine if toys are a choking risk for babies or toddlers. If a toy can pass through the tube, it poses a choking hazard for children under three,” says Johnson.

HealthyChildren.org also recommends keeping the following household items away from infants and young children:

• Balloons
• Coins and marbles
• Small balls
• Pen or marker caps
• Syringes
• Small or button batteries

Be Cautious With Magnetic Toys

“Toys with magnets should have magnets that are securely fixed, like magna tiles,” says Johnson. “If a child ingests two magnets, they can travel through the intestines at different rates, potentially attracting each other across intestinal walls. This can cause tissue damage and perforation.”

Tips for Choosing Safe Toys

HealthyChildren.org recommends the following guidelines to help you choose safe, age-appropriate gifts:

• Read warning labels. They provide age recommendations and safety instructions.
• Avoid toys that shoot objects. These can cause eye injuries or choking.
• Choose sturdy plastic toys. Thin plastic can break into sharp pieces.
• Look for “nontoxic” labels. Avoid toys that may contain toxic materials.
• Skip hobby kits for young children. Chemistry sets and similar kits may contain chemicals or pose fire risks.

If you think your child may have hearing loss or you have other auditory concerns schedule an evaluation with your primary doctor at 218-546-7000.