Exchanging gifts at Christmas is the most exciting part of the holidays. Unwrapping presents is half of the fun kids and adults get therewith. Children’s toys are, as a rule, packaged securely to support products during transportation and stacking. However, packaging with a variety of fixing elements inside can pose a hazard to kids’ health. Here are a few tips on how to prevent injuries by taking proper precautions at unwrapping.

• Help kids to take the wrapping paper off to avoid paper cuts.

• Clean up the wrapping paper quickly so nobody slips and falls on it.

• Help to unbox toys and remove and discard all toy packaging materials including plastic attachments. (Retain the part of the packaging containing important information on the use of the toy). Do not let children play with packages.

• Remove tags, sharp staples, strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to kids. These packaging elements can pose a strangulation risk and a choking hazard for young children.

• Be sure to read warning labels and instructions before giving a toy to the child.

Special symbols remind consumers that packages and packaging elements should be properly disposed of. Pay attention to the following symbols:

The “MAN THROWING TRASH INTO DUST BIN” symbol is used to remind of careful and thoughtful disposal of waste, and to encourage consumers not to litter the environment and throw waste into a bin.

The “CROSSED-OUT WHEELED BIN” symbol on products, batteries or packaging reminds that these products must be disposed of separately from household waste and must be taken to a separate collection point at the end of their working life. Remember that batteries or rechargeable batteries that are not permanently installed must be removed beforehand and disposed of separately according to local and national guidelines.

The RECYCLABLE PACKAGING symbol, or “chasing arrows” symbol, which is represented by a triangle composed of three arrows looping back on themselves in clockwise direction, indicates that packaging can be recycled.  It should be taken to a colour-coded recycling bin as the colour of the triangle identifies which specific material it was made from. Thanks to correct waste sorting, recyclable products can be taken directly for recycling and the secondary raw material will be used to make new products.

Sometimes the “chasing arrows” symbol has a percentage figure in the middle, indicating how much of the product comes from recycled materials.

When the recyclable packaging symbol appears on a plastic item, it will have a number from 1-7 in the middle of the looping arrows. This number indicates the type of plastic and how it should be recycled.

Tip: Consult your local authorities on recycling services in your area and get to know what plastics are recyclable and accepted locally in your community. Look for the recycling information on the packaging and check the meaning of the numbers in the triangle sign with your local solid waste and recycling authority to get it right.

These simple guidelines can help keep the holiday season safe for you and your little ones and let them enjoy new toys and games.

We wish you safe and healthy holidays!