In just a few days, children will eagerly be opening new toys and other items that have been left by Santa Claus.

And, while Christmas morning can be an exciting time, we remind parents and other adults that not all toys and gifts are safe for all children in all circumstances.

In 2023, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 231,700 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms. Of those injuries, 45 percent were to the head and face area.

CPSC numbers show 167,500 of those injuries, about 72 percent, happened to children 14 and younger. Another 154,700, or 67 percent, happened to children 12 and under and 83,800 injuries, or 38 percent, happened to children 4 and younger.

Boys suffered the majority of total injuries — 131,100, or 57 percent — while girls suffered 97,700 injuries, or 42 percent.

Nonmotorized scooters were associated with the greatest number of injuries at 53,000. That was followed by unspecified toys at 47,400, balls at 20,800 and toy vehicles (excluding riding toys) at 10,700.

While the total number of injuries last year represented a big jump from the 217,900 injuries reported in 2022, it was far lower than the 254,200 injuries reported in 2017.

Sadly, the CPSC said there were 10 deaths reported among children 14 and under: Two each from choking on a bouncy ball, choking on a crayon, drowning with a flotation toy and asphyxia from a toy chest; and one each from a motor vehicle collision involving a nonmotorized scooter and ingestion of water beads.

According to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, more than 3 billion toys are sold in the United States each year. Its guidelines for purchases include buying age-appropriate toys, reading instructions and warnings, avoiding toys with sharp and rigid points, avoiding toys with small parts that can create a choking hazard and securing batteries firmly.

If swallowed, batteries, UPMC says, can become stuck in the throat and stomach, which can lead to obstructions and serious burns. According to the National Poison Data System, in 2019, there were 3,467 reported ingestions of button batteries, 1,843 of which occurred in children 6 and under. Of that total, three incidences resulted in death and 258 resulted in moderate or major injuries.

More than 2,800 children are treated in emergency rooms each year after swallowing button batteries, the National Safety Council and Safe Kids Worldwide report.

And, UPMC reports, art materials, including crayons and paint sets, should be marked with the designation “ASTM D-4236.” This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist.

A great deal of the consumer protection advice we receive during the holidays amounts to common sense — and that needs to apply to other gifts, as well.

Many youngsters, for instance, will receive Internet-capable electronic devices for Christmas. That may make them susceptible to schemes — some involving money, others creating real danger to the children.

Experts advise steps such as monitoring Internet use by young people, establishing and enforcing rules, warning children not to download anything and ensuring privacy settings for services, such as social media, are appropriate.

It is all good advice, coming as it does during a time when adults are so eager to make children on shopping lists happy that they might forget the need to keep them safe from scammers and predators, as well as other dangers that often can present themselves. Following the recommendations will help to make the holiday safer for all involved.