Is your gift safe for children?

Buy “safe” and age-appropriate toys as presents for children this holiday season.

The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) echoed this advice which was initially relayed the other day by its head office.

Parents and elders should always take safety into consideration when buying toys, said Dr. Expedito  Medalla, Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) coordinator for DOH-7.

“Kani ra bang mga bata kung unsay makit-an usahay ihungit jud na nila. Dapat naa jud nay supervision sa mga elders or parents (For babies, they always place anything they can get a hold of in their mouth. So parents should closely supervise these kids when they play with their toys),” Medalla told reporters yesterday.

Medalla also cited other safety tips in buying toys.

He said the appropriate toys for newborn babies 1 year old and below are rattles and large brightly colored balls, washable stuffed dolls and animals with big and clearly defined faces.

Wooden animals, dolls, sturdy kiddie cars, modeling clay and rocking horses are suitable for children from 2 to 3 years old.

Puppets, push toys, building blocks, balls and kites are appropriate toys for children whose ages are from 4 to 5 years old, according to Medalla.

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