Holiday toy safety: What items are safe for your children?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - This holiday season, many children will be unwrapping gifts under the tree, but some toys could be dangerous, especially for younger kids.

Every year, thousands of children suffer injuries from toys and are treated in a hospital, according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission. While shopping, there are safety tips parents should keep in mind like avoiding toys that contain small parts.

According to Dr. Kris Jatana, who's in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital, young children could potentially ingest small parts or choke on them.

"Small parts are a choking hazard," Jatana said. "Unfortunately, choking is still a lead cause of death for young children across the United States."

Jatana encourages parents to look for the toy's age restrictions, which can be found on the box of the item. Many toys are labeled as "not for under the age of 3" for the reason of a potential choking hazard.

Another concern is toys that contain button batteries. If ingested, button batteries can sometimes be lodged in the body and cause severe life-threatening injuries.

"If a device or toy is powered by one of those small batteries, just make sure it is a child-resistant secure compartment, it's really critical," Jatana urged.

Other toys Jatana said could be a hazard include water beads. The tiny items could cause significant injuries if young children swallow them or insert them in their ears or nose. If a medical emergency happens, Jatana urges parents to seek medical treatment immediately.

For additional safety tips when it comes to shopping for toys, follow this link.