1. Batteries
You may have seen button batteries in the headlines — according to the National Safety Council, 2,800 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for swallowing them. Not only are button batteries a choking hazard, but they can also cause life-threatening internal burns when saliva triggers chemical leaks in the batteries, destroying tissue in as little as two hours. By the time a child complains of pain, serious injuries often have already happened.
Sasala said button batteries are particularly dangerous because they’re everywhere — in such items as key fobs, remote controls, Apple AirTags and musical greeting cards and books.
“Parents like to keep musical greeting cards since they are typically for a birthday, and children like to play with them,” she said. “Musical greeting cards aren’t super sturdy, and children can rip or chew them apart.”
Sasala warned against any battery-operated item that doesn’t include a battery compartment secured with a screw. Remember to check the compartments on remotes for sound machines, lights and TVs, too.
2. Sensory toys
Sensory toys can encourage exploration, but they require close supervision for children under four. Items like water beads or small fidget toys with loose parts can quickly become enticing for toddlers to chew on.
“There are benefits to sensory toys, but they can be a potential choking hazard. Does it have small parts? Does it have magnets? Is it really made for your child’s age group?” Sasala says.
3. Toys for older siblings
The holidays are right around the corner, and families with children in several age groups should keep an eye on where their older children’s toys are stored.
“It can be tricky to keep younger children away from older kids’ toys,” Sasala said, “But older developmental ages can handle things with small parts, where toddlers and infants can’t.”
She recommended making sure toys are cleaned up immediately and, if possible, having older children play with small or hazardous toys in a separate area from younger siblings.
Parents hosting friends with younger children should also look at their space with a critical eye, especially if they’ve relaxed their baby-proofing as their own kids have grown. Put away anything small, including earbuds and jewelry.
4. High chairs or swings
Used as intended, high chairs and swings can give parents some much-needed hands-free time to make a meal or fold the laundry. However, using them as directed is essential for safety. Sasala said parents may assume that a child doesn’t need the straps on a high chair or swing, but these restraints prevent falls.
She also warned parents that while swings may lull infants to sleep, infants should be moved to a safe sleep space that is flat and free of blankets, diapers and toys.
5. Walkers
As babies get more interested in the world, parents may be tempted to let them “stretch their legs” in a walker. Sasala said walkers can eliminate many baby-proofing measures by giving children new reach and mobility.
“Once they’re in a walker, they can get to that poisonous plant on the counter or the electrical cord they couldn’t reach before,” Sasala said. “They have much more access to stairs and all the other things you put out of their reach.”
She recommended a stationary activity center instead, which lets babies interact with the features while building balance and stability — without increasing their reach when used properly.
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The Medical Minute is a health news feature produced by Penn State Health. Articles feature the expertise of faculty, physicians and staff, and are designed to offer timely, relevant health information of interest to a broad audience.