Dear Readers: Did you know that last year hospital emergency rooms reported nearly 17,000 eye injuries caused by toys?

Toys are the No. 1 cause of eye injuries in children, according to Prevent Blindness America (also known as National Society to Prevent Blindness). With the upcoming holidays (the largest toy gift-giving time), children may be at risk.

Prevent Blindness America is offering free information to help people choose toys that are safe for children. Here are two of the many safety hints they suggest:

Take special notice of the suggested age level on toys and buy accordingly.

Don’t buy toys that shoot or have parts that fly off. They can be quite dangerous for children.

All you need to do to receive a free copy of “Tips for Choosing Safe Toys” is call Prevent Blindness at 1-800-331-2020. A minute making a free phone call just may save your child’s eyesight. Call now! - Heloise

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