Pop-up laundry hampers: A child who’s looking to create an impromptu tunnel or fort may find that the soft, springy design of these wire-framed hampers fits the bill. But they should be off-limits to kids: They’ve caused severe eye injuries. “Our patients’ eyes were cut open when the hamper wire came loose from the fabric. They required emergency surgery,” says Iris Kassem, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist and assistant professor at Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. Check for an interior wire with no protective cover and get rid of the hamper when the fabric starts to fray.
The same design used in these hampers is also used in many children’s play tunnels and tents. Be sure to check all seams for signs of damage or wear, and monitor use during playtime.