NEW YORK—To minimize children’s exposure to unsafe toys and gifts during the holiday season, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has designated December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month.

According to PBA, thousands of children aged 14 and younger suffer serious eye injuries and blindness each year as a result of engagement with unsafe toys. Among the association’s recommendations to prevent such injuries are to buy age-appropriate toys, to review warnings printed on packaging and to look for items that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards.

In an effort to educate shoppers on safe gift-buying for children this season, PBA has published a Safe Toy Checklist on their website. To view the list, visit preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist.