The Greatest Gift is a Safe Gift

December 13, 2025

San Diego health officials are warning parents about toy safety during the holiday season, as hundreds of local children are treated in emergency departments annually for toy-related incidents. The primary concerns include choking hazards from small parts, dangers from button batteries that can cause severe internal burns, and lead exposure from older or imported toys. Parents are advised to check age-appropriateness labels, avoid button battery-powered toys when possible, and verify that toys meet safety standards through ASTM certification.

Who is affected

Children across San Diego County (specifically hundreds who end up in emergency departments annually)
San Diego parents and families
Infants and toddlers (particularly vulnerable to toxic materials)
Children 12 and under (covered by ASTM toy inspection standards)

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article. The article provides recommendations and preventive measures rather than describing actions currently being implemented.

Why it matters

Toy-related incidents send hundreds of San Diego children to emergency departments each year, with serious potential consequences including choking, internal burns from swallowed batteries that can cause infection or death, and lead exposure that can harm brain development, slow growth, and cause learning difficulties. These dangers are particularly acute during the holiday season when children receive numerous new toys as gifts.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint