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eInsights - October 2010Latex Free ToysThe holiday season is near and finding the perfect gift for your beloved child can be so rewarding. Anticipating the delight heightens the holiday spirit. However, if you plan to give a gift to someone living with Spina Bifida, know the challenges. Children and teens with Spina Bifida cannot enjoy many mass marketed toys due to hazardous allergies to latex, a natural product from the sap of rubber trees, which means giving latex free toys. The bright side is that many toy manufacturers produce items containing latex alternatives such as silicone, plastic, and vinyl, but some stores still need to be educated. Tell toy stores about latex Since many toy store personnel are not familiar with latex allergies, use this holiday season to educate them. Ask to speak with the store manager and explain what it means to live with latex allergies. Emphasize the fact that latex allergies not only affect children with Spina Bifida but can impact the whole family. When you visit your retailers, ask the salespeople if the items contain natural rubber latex. If they don’t know, you may need to do some extra research for clarification. Just to make sure, contact manufacturers as you make your holiday list. This will ensure your comfort as you deliver those wonderful gifts to your child with Spina Bifida... Look to the resources below for more information about Latex free toys. Change attitudes Although toy manufacturers may see the Spina Bifida community as a small niche market that doesn’t need special attention, you can work to change that attitude by talking to the personnel at your local toy stores this holiday season. Every child deserves safe toys Preparing for the gift giving season for these special loved ones may take a little longer, but the joy on their faces will be worth it. Happy Holidays! Important links
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