Tag Archives: gifts

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

DECEMBER IS SAFE TOYS AND GIFTS AWARENESS MONTH

1 Comment

For several years, Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month.  For parents, grandparents and others shopping for children, there are many things to consider about the choices they make.  Children have been seen in emergency rooms due to choking, eye injuries, or even poisoning.  Most of this was caused by injuries due to poorly made items and misuse of toys. 

In a 2010 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,  it was estimated that hospital emergency rooms treated 251,700 toy-related injuries throughout the U.S.  Of that number, 72 percent of injuries were to those less than 15 years of age.  They also found that 46 percent of the 251,700 ER-treated injuries occurred to the head and face area.  Lacerations, abrasions, and contusions made up most of the injuries.

There are two things to keep in mind when shopping for toys:

(1)   Keep the age of the child in mind when purchasing gifts and consider their maturity level.  Read the age recommendations and any warnings on the packaging, and abide by them.

(2)   Select toys that are well constructed and meet the American society for testing and Materials’ (ASTM) approval.  You will see a label on the package if the item meets these standards. 

Prevent Blindness asks you to make these recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child, and be diligent about inspecting the gifts before the child plays with them.  This may seem a little heartless at Christmas, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Choose toys that are a developmental tool as well as a recreational activity for children, not to cause harm.  Children should be supervised at all times, and instructed on the proper use of the toy.  Labels are the best way to decide whether a toy or other item is right for a child.  Most new toys have appropriate age labels and these should be followed.  Stuffed items should be machine washable, fabric items should be non-flammable and/or flame resistant, and art supplies should read non-toxic.  Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, ( evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials).  Outdoor recreational items such as skateboards or baseballs should be accompanied by the appropriate safety gear, such as helmets and gloves.  BB Guns should be given to only those of the proper age and maturity to handle them safely, and comfortable safety goggles should be included. 

Keep these tips in mind throughout the year, as children are given toys more often than just at Christmas.  It’s just a good time to emphasize that we want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season! 

Source: PBA

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety

THINKING ABOUT THE PERFECT GIFT?

There’s one in every family…..someone who has everything, and is impossible to shop for!  Most of us receive gift items that get recycled, (be careful to remember who gave it to you!), or stuck in a drawer somewhere.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you show how much you really care by giving emergency preparedness items as gifts.  It would be a unique idea to give a friend or someone you love a gift that might possibly save his/her life.  You may see what we have to offer, and order by going to Texas America Safety Company, http://www.tasco-safety.com/.

Our grandson recently got a truck for his 16th birthday.  I am willing to bet that he doesn’t have a highway safety kit, flashlight, blanket or other emergency equipment that would come in handy in case he became stranded.  These types of emergency kits could be fun to put together for Mom and Dad’s cars, as well. 

If you know someone who wears hardhats at work, we’ve got just the deal for you!  What better way to show your pride in America than by wearing a Patriotic hardhat?  There are other cool hardhats that represent NFL, NBL, NCAA, NHL, NASCAR, and MLB teams.  Shucks, we even have cowboy hardhats that are approved for most types of use.   

T.a.s.c.o  also has many choices of gloves (industrial and medical); some of the leather ones would be great for winter driving.  Mechanix gloves are great for those who need a good, sturdy glove.  There are pink Mechanix gloves, too, for ladies’ smaller hands.   If you know someone who walks early in the morning or late in the evening, what better gift than a high-visibility vest to wear over a jacket, or some high-visibility decals to draw attention to them?  A wide variety of safety glasses are available, too.  They look just as good as those you’d pay several times over for.  If you have a friend who wears safety glasses, check out the styles; you’ll be giving a great gift that offers protection. 

Have a skier on your list?  In addition to warm gloves, we have great selections of protective goggles.  Know someone who works in an industrial setting that requires earmuffs?  Try our Bilsom AM/FM Radio Earmuffs.  You can find them in the earmuffs section.  They are lightweight and durable for industrial work, and do not sound louder than 82 dB.  For those of you who have a welder on your list, T.a.s.c.o has a stock of the coolest welding helmets that can stand the heat! 

We invite you to see for yourself the many items that we offer that will be useful gifts.  Not only will you have the convenience of shopping at home, but for an added Christmas bonus, we’d like to offer you a 10% discount on your purchase!  (Just mention 10% Blog in the Special Instructions space, or remind the customer service person that you order from.)  We also have the capability to customize many items in-house.

We hope the upcoming days bring a wonderful holiday season to you and your loved ones.  Please stay safe, as traffic will be busier than usual.  Best Wishes for safety and happiness during this holiday time from all of us at Texas America Safety Company.  Our toll-free number in the U.S. is 800-646-5346.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

WHEN PURCHASING TOYS, THINK SAFETY!

December is the official “Safe Toys and Gifts Month.”  With Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all crammed into this month, those families with children will be spending what they can afford to make the holiday special by granting the wishes of their little ones, but much thought needs to be put into choosing safe toys.  Santa wouldn’t ever want to bring anything unsafe to the children, but he’s getting down to the wire now, so he probably can’t do the proper research into this important topic! 

Prevent Blindness America and United States Consumer Product Safety Commission report that in 2005 (last available data), more than 200,000 toy-related injuries were reported, and almost 8,000 of them were eye injuries, which included lacerations, abrasions, and foreign bodies in the eyes.  Sports equipment and even art supplies can be harmful if not used properly.  The American Academy of Opthalmology estimates that there are 40,000 sports-related eye injuries altogether annually. 

When selecting toys for small children, choose ones that are both appropriate for the child’s age and level of maturity.  All toys should meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards.  These toys will bear the label of approval by ASTM.  One of the most common causes of toy-related death is choking.  From 2005-2007, thirty-three children aspirated or choked to death on balloons, toys, or toy parts.  If you are looking at a toy or toy part and it fits inside a toilet paper roll, don’t buy it.  Small toy testers can also be purchased at toy or baby specialty stores. 

Toys with straps, cords, or strings more than 7” long pose a strangulation risk for children under age 3.  Also, remove mobiles from the crib after a baby reaches 5 months of age, or can sit up, to avoid another strangulation hazard.  Toys with sharp edges or points are discouraged.  Keep older siblings’ toys out of the range of your little ones.  This is all common sense advice, and most parents are very conscientious about the safety of their toddlers.  There are just so many hazards lurking in our homes, it pays to be extra careful. 

Select toys that do not contain lead paint.  There are some toxic chemicals or lead in some bibs, vinyl lunchboxes, and jewelry.  Discard or don’t purchase cheap metal jewelry.   Some toys that are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) may contain toxic phthalates.  Most U.S. manufacturers of toys voluntarily stopped using PVC in their toys.  Another thing to think about: if a toy is too loud for you, it is too loud for your child.  Be sure you investigate how noisy it is before making that purchase.

For older kids, the right protective equipment, such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, or wrist guards should be purchased along with the type of sporting equipment you plan to buy them, such as bicycles, skateboards, and scooters.  Air guns and BB guns are not considered toys.  Even a cap gun with caps can be ignited by the slightest friction, causing serious burns. 

This is not meant to spread a cloud over the holidays.  It is to help Santa with his decisions in delivering to the children the best, safest toys ever!  We don’t you want to spend your time in the emergency room, because there’s just too much to do!  Should you have questions about certain items, go to www.cpsc.gov or www.recalls.gov and sign up to receive alerts of new recalls, as well as a list of current recalls.  Report dangerous toys to CPSC, 1-800-638-2772.