There is almost no greater joy for children than opening presents on Christmas morning – and no greater joy for parents than watching their kids enjoy their gifts. However, as we at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., are aware, not all toys are safe. Some are dangerous even when you and other Connecticut parents are careful about purchasing children’s products that are marketed as safe and age-appropriate.

Since millions of children across the country will get new toys this month, December is designated Safe Toys and Gifts Month by Prevent Blindness America. Every year, children receive serious injuries from dangerous or defective toys. You might think recalls involving toys are rare, but the opposite is unfortunately true. Toys are recalled regularly due to manufacturer defects, production line mistakes or misleading packaging and instructions. Depending on the type of product, potential defects and the age it was meant for, a dangerous toy can damage a child’s eyesight, present a choking hazard or cause burns. Larger products, like a bicycle or hover board, that unexpectedly break or fall apart, might even cause lacerations, broken bones and head injuries.

You might protect your children from injuries by reading and understanding the instructions, selecting products that are age-appropriate and inspecting toys before allowing your children to play with them. You may also want to check online for information on recalls or news reports on injuries regarding a toy your children play with. As our page on defective products explains, you may be eligible for compensation if a dangerous toy harms your child.