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Toy
Safety Article: The information you need to make safe toy choices and
valuable tips on what you as parents and caregivers
can do to protect
your children from unsafe toys!
Pedal Toys and Safety - 7 Things Every Parent Must Do to Keep Your Child Safe
By Jane Mcgowan
It's that time of year again. The weather is getting warmer and the
kids are moving outdoors to play. They've been cooped up inside all
winter and can't wait to take their playtime outside.
One sure sign of spring is when the parents start dragging the
bicycles, tricycles and pedal toys out of the garage. It's a kick to
see all the kids out peddling around and meeting up on the sidewalks
and street corners on their various vehicles, but it's also a time for
parents to remember to use common sense and keep their kids safe.
Obviously you cannot anticipate every situation that could cause an
accident and injury to your child while they're riding around the block
on their pedal toys, but here are 7 common sense safety tips every
parent must do to create a safe and enjoyable riding experience for
their kids.
Many of these may seem apparent and obvious, but most accidents
involving children would never have occurred if parents had just slowed
down a little and taken the time to remind themselves of these
important safety tips. We all get in a hurry and distracted once in a
while. It just takes a few extra minutes to slow ourselves down long
enough put these must do pedal toy safety rules into action.
1) Never leave your children unattended while they are riding the pedal toys.
2) Children should always wear shoes when they are riding pedal toys
of any kind. There are just way too many ways for kids to hurt and
mangle their feet if they are bare when they're riding these kids
vehicles.
3) In addition to wearing shoes, parents need to double check that
any shoes with laces are securely tied and knotted. Lose and untied
shoelaces that can get caught in pedals, wheels, and spokes resulting
in accidents. The same thing applies to lose clothing. Make sure that
your children are not wearing anything that could get caught in the
pedals.
4) Ride on toys and pedal toys should not be ridden (used) on hills
or any kind of incline, or in thoroughfares. Additionally, children
should not be riding these vehicles near or around swimming pools or
lakes.
5) Insist that your children wear helmets while riding their
bicycles, tricycles and any other pedal toys. Kids hate these things.
"They're nerdy"..."they're dumb"..."they're weird" ..."they
hurt"..."they're uncomfortable"...all great resistance responses you'll
get from the kiddos to get you to give in and let them go without the
helmets. Do not relent and give into your kids on this one. Mad
children are much better than injured children. They'll get over it!
6) Single use only. Doubling up more than one child on any kids ride
on toy that's meant for single use can be very dangerous. Yes, it's fun
to pedal around with your friends on your handlebars and seats. There's
lots of giggles and laughs for the kids, until the time comes that
someone gets hurt.
7) Every three months or so, parents need to inspect the pedals,
steering wheels, wheels, handles, etc. of their child's vehicle to make
sure nothing is loose or out of alignment.
We here at All Child's Play
enjoy pedal toys and kids ride on toys as much as anyone. Implement
these easy safety rules and both you and your kids will have a much
more enjoyable experience with their pedal toys.
By the way, all of our pedal cars and kids ride on toys contain lead
free paint...just one more step in the right direction towards the
health and safety of our kids.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Mcgowan
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