With the excitement of the holidays, parents and relatives eagerly purchase the hottest toys and latest items for their children. But it??™s during the hustle and bustle of the season that many fail to buy age appropriate gifts for their children and they tend to disregard warnings on these toys and gifts when it comes to ensuring safety. Cincinnati Children??™s Hospital Medical Center suggests parents consider their child??™s age, interests, and skill levels when purchasing toys. While shopping, parents are urged to read product warnings and labels, look for sturdy construction and avoid items with sharp edges and points. Once the gifts are opened, it??™s important to quickly discard plastic wrappings and keep older children??™s toys away from younger siblings. ???Children under five years ??“ and especially those under three years ??“ are particularly vulnerable to airway obstruction due to small upper airways, inexperience with chewing and a natural tendency to put everything in their mouths,??? says Michael Gittelman, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children??™s.  Read more…