Fun time

Since Christmas is Monday, we look at toys inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame and some of the most dangerous toys kids are getting these days.

The National Toy Hall of Fame is part of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. The Hall of Fame accepts nominations from the public year-round, but to be inducted, the nominees must be approved by historians and educators with backgrounds in learning and play.

Toys are rated in four categories, though they don’t have to rate highly in all categories to get in:

Icon status: Toys that are widely recognized and respected.

Longevity: Toys that are not a fad and have had popularity over several generations.

Discovery: Toys that foster creativity and learning.

Innovation: Toys that change the ways we play or have ground-breaking design.

A list of each toy to be inducted is below.

You can nominate a toy here.

Help my campaign

I nominated the beach ball for induction this month.

Fun at the beach, pool or stadium, the beloved colorful ball has been snubbed long enough.

According to Time Magazine’s collection of the 100 greatest toys, the inflatable beach ball is believed to have been invented by Jonathon DeLonge in 1938. The original beach balls are thought to have been about the size of a hand.

Now the inflatable toys are sold in many different sizes, including unbelievably large. The ball is in the Hall, and so is sand.

It’s time to induct this great toy that’s fun for all ages.

Trends in toys

E-scooters, E-bikes and hoverboards might be all the rage this holiday season, but their safety is cause for concern.

A report released in October by the Consumer Product Safety Commission says injuries from what they call micromobility products have increased 21% in 2022 from 2021 and have increased 23% each year since 2017.

Nearly half (46%) of all estimated e-bike injuries from 2017 to 2022 occurred in 2022 alone.

The report included the following:

• There were 233 deaths associated with micromobility devices from 2017 through 2022, although reporting is ongoing and incomplete.

• Children 14 years and younger accounted for about 36% of micromobility injuries from 2017 to 2022, double their 18% proportion of the U.S. population.

• May through October had the largest percentages of both E-scooter and E-bike-related injuries. December and January had the largest percentages of hoverboard-related injuries.

• There were an estimated 360,800 emergency department visits related to all micromobility devices from 2017 through 2022.

• Fractures, followed by contusions/abrasions, are the two most common injuries. The most frequently injured body areas are the upper and lower limbs, as well as the head and neck.

• Fires were a significant hazard with all micromobility devices. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of 19 deaths associated with micromobility device fires from Jan. 1, 2021, through Nov. 28, 2022.

The best way to avoid injuries when using micromobility products:

• Always wear a helmet.

• Before riding an E-scooter, make sure to check it for any damage, which includes examining the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables and frame. Damage to the E-scooter can cause loss of control and lead to a crash.

• Always be present when charging micromobility products and only use the supplied charger. Never charge the device while sleeping.

• Only use an approved replacement battery pack.

• Never throw lithium batteries in the trash or general recycling. Instead, take them to your local battery recyclers or hazardous waste collection center.

Sources: The Strong National Museum of Play, National Toy Hall of Fame, American Journal of Play, Consumer Product Safety Commission

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