CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Toys are a big part of the holiday season, but they can also be dangerous. One pediatrician explains how he keeps his three children safe.

In 2020 there were nearly 200,000 toy injuries that sent children to emergency rooms, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Building sets was the specifically identified toy category related to the most estimated toy-related injuries for 4 years of age or younger

Nonmotorized scooters were associated with the most estimated injuries

Novant Health Pediatrician Dr. Sumon Bhowmick has his hands full when he is at home. He has twin boys who are 6 and a daughter who is 4.

“They are full of energy,” Bhowmick said. “They are smart, kind and can be helpful.”

They can also be loud and rambunctious. He tries to keep them safe, but it’s hard to prevent every injury at their age.

“They have gotten minor injuries on stairs, tripping off couches and things like that,” Bhowmick said.

When it comes to toys he is very particular about what is allowed in the house. The first thing he checks on a toy is the age label. He says parts of the toy can be choking hazards for children under a certain age. Next he reads the reviews.

“This was a pinwheel, but of course a part of it broke off,” Bhowmick said. “Even though it did, it’s very sturdy plastic, so if you drop them they don’t twist or break into sharp pieces.” “This was a pinwheel, but of course a part of it broke off,” Bhowmick said. “Even though it did, it’s very sturdy plastic, so if you drop them they don’t twist or break into sharp pieces.” 

He pays attention to the toy's material. He said magnet tiles are a great toy, because the magnets are securely inside a large piece of plastic so children can’t swallow them. 

“Magnets are very scary if someone ingests them,” Bhowmick said. "Especially, if there are multiple magnets, they can connect inside and cause problems with your intestines.”

Finally he has his children clean up their toys when they’re done, because children can get hurt by stepping on a toy or tripping over it.

“Any parent will tell you that the best thing for our kids is to be healthy, smart and safe,” Bhowmick said. “Being able to embark on those lessons through toys is probably one of the best things you can do.”

Several large toy companies provide product registration. Once the toy is registered, the company will send a notification if the product is recalled. Check for a registration card in the toy box or the manufacturer’s website.