Christmas lights twinkle, a chill hits the Oklahoma air, and Mariah Carey hits the airways once again. The holidays have arrived — time for family, fun, festivities, and unfortunately, a marked uptick in avoidable accidents. 

Fortunately, when it comes to holiday gift giving, there are a few things you can do to keep your loved ones safe. In this blog post from Oklahoma Tulsa personal injury attorney Tim Gilpin, we’re sharing tips for safe gift giving to help keep your holidays merry, bright, and free of emergency room visits. 

Top Concerns for Toy Safety in 2025

World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) is a nonprofit organization founded by consumer safety advocate, author, and trial lawyer Edward M. Swartz to help bring awareness and advocacy in the area of products designed for children, covering everything from playground equipment to clothing. Each year, the organization releases a guide to child product safety that includes their nominees for the worst toys of the holiday season. 

This year’s list includes items ranging from a children’s makeup kit associated with the potential for allergic reactions to several toys that include a choking and ingestion risk. According to the organization, a child is treated every three minutes for toy-related injuries in the United States, with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reporting 231,700 toy-related injuries in 2023 and 40 deaths among children 14 or under between 2021 and 2023. 

All of these hazards could potentially lead to toy-related injuries:

• Strangulation hazards
• Choking hazards
• Flammability hazards
• Chemical hazards
• Poisoning hazards
• Falling hazards
• Tripping hazards
• Eye injury hazards
• Electrical hazards
• Blunt injury hazards

Choosing Toys Wisely

According to W.A.T.C.H., poorly-designed toys, small parts, and inaccurate or inadequate warnings on products can all contribute to these hazards. That’s why it’s important to do your research anytime you’re shopping for holiday gifts for children. 

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for toys.

Magnets and batteries

Lithium “button” batteries and small, high-powered magnets are two of the biggest hidden dangers in toys. When swallowed, button batteries can create a serious chemical reaction that severely burns through a child’s esophagus in just two short hours. This can lead to vocal cord paralysis, trachea damage, blood vessel damage, or esophageal perforations — all very serious conditions. 

According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, more than 3,500 button batteries are swallowed in the United States each year. And according to Consumer Reports, one out of every three toys has them. If the battery compartment is secure, this generally means they are not accessible to kids. That’s why it’s important to check the warning labels on toys and only purchase toys from reputable manufacturers.

The same is true with powerful magnets, which can lead to poisoning, blockages, intestinal performations, or death when swallowed.

AI-enabled and smart products

Smart toys and other internet-capable products have been popular for years now. But these days, more AI-enabled products have been hitting the shelves. And consumer advocacy groups are starting to sound the alarm bells. 

Experts warn that dolls, robots, and other connected toys with built-in chatbot features meant to converse with your child could potentially expose children to dangerous content. Additionally, some of these connected products come with a privacy risk. Once again, these consumer advocacy groups urge parents to do their research before purchasing and only purchase products from reputable manufacturers. When in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to test your child’s toys and read product reviews before giving. 

Online Counterfeit Toys

Deals on knock-off toys that seem too good to pass up are all over the internet these days. Unfortunately, these counterfeit toys can come with hidden safety risks or bypass U.S. safety hazards. Always be especially careful when purchasing toys and other products from third-party dealers. 

Other Common Risks to Consider

W.A.T.C.H. advises looking out for the following anytime you’re purchasing gifts for children:

1. Toys with hair or fur that could be aspirated by young children.
2. Toys with strings, long handles, or removable attachments that could create strangulation or aspiration hazards. 
3. Toys with projectiles that could cause injuries to eyes. 
4. Toys with breakable parts.

Call Tim Gilpin When You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

A preventable injury caused by a disreputable toy manufacturer or a poorly tested toy can lead to injury, hospital bills, and lasting consequences. When you or someone you care about becomes injured due to the negligence of others, Tim Gilpin can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you need. Give Tim a call to set up your consultation.