When buying toys ...
Published:Monday | December 10, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
We can't deny that the countdown to Christmas has begun. Toys, gifts and Christmas goodies are all gracing the shelves of our local shops. However, before you hit the street to get a head start on your Christmas shopping for the kids, there are a few pointers that must be taken into consideration.
According to Dorothy Campbell, communications specialist at the Consumer Affairs Commission, shoppers should utilise sensible reasoning, be discerning and vigilant when purchasing toys for children. "It is important to maintain proper plans for a practical budget and be creative with what we have, to reduce the stressors usually associated with the season," Campbell advised.
She said you should ensure that when buying toys for your children, you check for age-appropriateness and choose toys with colouring that is non-toxic. "Know your child. He or she may be more advanced or less so than the recommended age on the package," Campbell said.
Campbell stressed that you should examine the pieces that make up a whole toy including the fastening, screws and flexible parts. For toddlers she said joints should not break easily if bitten, chewed or dropped on a hard surface.
"Check mobile toys to ensure that no electrical component is exposed, that is, wires, such as those in remote-controlled cars and that battery-operated toys have a fastened lid for batteries and check buttons. If in doubt, leave the toy in the store. There are thousands of toys available from which to choose," Campbell said.
She cautions that the toy you may fall in love with, may be the one the child leaves in the toy box all year. She suggests that you take the child along and watch his reaction, to help you to determine which ones will peak his interest.
"If all else fails, a good book lasts forever. A good story read at bedtime to your child is a lasting memory and one that many adults cherish today," Campbell said.
Watch for these hazards:
• Scooters and other riding toys like skateboards and in-line skates - go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.
• Small balls and other toys with small parts - For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
• Balloons - Children under eight years can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.
• Magnets - For children under age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and or death can occur.
• Chargers and adapters - Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
Tips on buying a computer for your child
If you are a parent who is thinking about buying a computer, this quick guide will help you make an informed purchase - and help you make sure the computer is put to good, and appropriate, use.
1. Consider looking for a built-in DVD drive (for watching movies) and CD-RW drive (for burning CDs).
2. Don't forget: Young children should be chaperoned while surfing the Internet. Also, the likelihood of accidents and spills is high, (and spills, of course, can cause irreparable damage to the computer's keyboard or CPU).
3. Buy a basic desktop computer, but try to keep your personal files and important documents on a separate machine or have a back-up file.
4. The classic error parents make is buying the 'hottest' brand machine. Children ages three to nine years old don't care about a top-of-line machine - and they certainly don't need a laptop. Most children at that age will be using CD-ROM software that demands little memory or hard drive space according to Jorian Clarke, founder and CEO of KidsCom.com.
5. First, consider what kind of computer your child is using at school. Purchasing the same computer (or at least a similar one) will enable children to complete their homework more quickly and reinforce what they have learned at school.
6. If your child uses a computer for word processing, email, or for the Internet, then a basic or mid-range desktop computer will suit his/her needs just fine.
Information provided courtesy of the Consumer Affairs Commission and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica
Once the gifts are open:
Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
Keep toys appropriate for older children, away from younger siblings.
Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.