Gifts play a huge role during the winter holiday season, but an expert from the Dallas County Health Department lists some safety precautions.

Community Health Educator Natalie Peters tells Raccoon Valley Radio that parents/guardians should research whether the gifts are age appropriate for their kids. She notes that children under three years of age should not be given toys with small magnets or button batteries. Peters identifies other safety hazards to think about when purchasing presents for children.

“Think about if the child is allergic to any materials or chemicals in the toy. Avoid toys with parts that fly off or have sharp edges or have the ability to shoot because (of) the risk of eye injuries. If the child is old enough to follow safety directions, maybe it’s a good idea to give them protective eyewear too. And then similarly, if you’re getting gifts like sports equipment, consider gifting a new helmet or elbow kneepads with it too, to avoid injuries associated with that.”

Peters pinpoints that choking is the number one concern as she details that a child’s windpipe is only as wide as a straw. Another common wound that happens revolves around electricity as parents/guardians should be checking electronic toys for damaged wires and keeping them out of the reach of kids.