Help Minimize Safety Hazards from Small Batteries, Magnets and Lead 

A ThedaCare Pediatrician is sharing advice to help parents, caregivers and trusted adults better ensure the kids in their lives can enjoy their new toys and gadgets safely.

“For many children, the anticipation of receiving new toys is almost as exciting as tearing off the wrapping paper,” said Dr. Kevin Gentile, a Pediatrician with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Neenah. “New games, creative play, craft projects and colorful gadgets can mean hours of happy play and learning.”

Dr. Kevin Gentile

He’s encouraging people to be more discerning when shopping for holiday gifts for the kids by actively selecting safer and age-appropriate toys.

Small Parts, Big Harm

Dr. Gentile highlighted three main toy safety concerns he’s seen in his practice.

• Swallowing button-sized lithium batteries. Once swallowed, the batteries may interact with a person’s saliva creating a chemical reaction that can burn tissue. “This can happen in under two hours so it’s very important that parents bring in their child so we can make a plan to remove that battery as soon as possible,” Dr. Gentile said.
• Ingesting small magnets. A single magnet may eventually pass through a child’s body on its own. Ingesting more than one may cause serious complications such as intestinal obstruction or rupture as the magnets draw together inside the body. Seek medical attention if a child swallows one or more magnets, Dr. Gentile said.
• Thrifted or vintage toys that contain lead or other dangerous substances. “Someone might pass down a favorite toy from years ago because it holds special meaning but old painted wood blocks may contain lead paint,” Dr. Gentile said. “The same goes for older thrifted toys. To play it safe, choose new models of these old favorites.”

Other top toy safety concerns include choking hazards, eye injuries, suffocation risks and puncture wounds.

Each year, the advocacy group World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc., puts out a list of the top 10 worst toys. The group’s list for 2025 includes toy weaponry with the potential for blunt force and eye injuries, plush pillow toys that could potentially lead to suffocation, makeup kits that may result in allergic reaction and other toys that pose choking or ingestion risks.

The group reminds adults that some toys designed for children can lead to injury and even death. Fortunately, such harm can be prevented, the group said.

Playing with toys is often considered an important part of child development, Dr. Gentile said.

“Toys are the learning tools of childhood,” he said. “They can bring people together and that’s so important in this time when young people often opt to isolate with digital and electronic gadgets.”

Safer Gift Options

Dr. Gentile suggested a number of gift options that may pose less immediate threat to a child’s safety.

“Age-appropriate books are a great gift. From pictures to textures and storybooks to chapter books, the gift of a good book is always a great idea,” he said. “When young people discover the joy of reading, they’re often empowered to learn about subjects that interest them. This allows them to find a safe and healthy escape in characters and stories about other people and places around the world.”

Board games, puzzles and arts and crafts can also serve as safer gift options, he said.

“Board games and puzzles can help teach young ones to cooperate, take turns, win (and lose) gracefully and think strategically,” he said. “Arts and crafts allow kids to use their big imaginations. Non-toxic art supplies and spaces that encourage creativity and self-expression also can help teach fine motor skills, problem-solving and emotional well-being.”

Dr. Gentile also suggested considering imaginative materials for creative play and experiential gifts.

“Role-playing games like playing house, making music, dancing and supervised cooking or building tasks can help foster creativity, innovation and self-expression,” he said. “An experiential gift could be a trip to the movies or zoo or a membership at the children’s museum.”

Gift of Togetherness

Gift-giving doesn’t need not be extravagant or costly, just safe, Dr. Gentile said.

“Children enjoy receiving and giving gifts but more than any present, they’ll remember the special times together,” he said. “This holiday season, choose toys thoughtfully and with safety in mind. You can help make good memories and teach skills for life. That’s the best kind of gift.”

Dr. Gentile encouraged people to contact their health care provider with questions or concerns about safer toy gift-giving.

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About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.