Remember to prioritize safety during the holiday season.
Shop only from trusted stores and online retailers to protect your family from holiday-related hazards, recommends the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC. Most unsafe or counterfeit products sold through unverified third-party sites can come from foreign countries such as China and can have devastating and sometimes fatal consequences for families.
The CPSC urges consumers, especially parents and caregivers shopping for young children, to remain vigilant to prevent toy-related injuries and deaths. In addition, be proactive when choosing holiday decorations to keep family and friends safe.
“American families can keep their celebrations joyful and safe by shopping at trusted retailers, staying current on recalls and using holiday decorations properly,” Peter A. Feldman, acting chair of the CPSC, said in a statement.
Gift safety tips
General shopping
- Know your seller. Purchase toys from stores and online retailers you know and trust.
- Be wary of online deals that sound too good to be true, as these toys may be hazardous or counterfeit products.
- Check to see if there has been a recall at gov/recalls before buying secondhand products online.
Toys
- Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging and choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.
- Provide safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys, and make sure children use them every time they ride.
- Keep balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than three and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than eight.
- Check for choking-hazard warnings on toys with small parts, balls, marbles, or balloons on the packaging or on the company’s website.
- Discard plastic wrapping and other packaging immediately after unwrapping gifts to prevent hazards.
Holiday decorating tips
Holiday decorations
- Water live Christmas trees and look for the “fire resistant” label on artificial trees.
- Never leave candles unattended. Keep burning candles in sight and away from flammable items and put them out before leaving the room. Use flameless candles when that will work.
- Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights and never overload electrical outlets.
Visit CPSC’s Holiday Safety Information Center for additional holiday safety tips.
