Toy safety is a top priority for parents, caregivers and our company. In this article, we’ll discuss toy safety, identify potential toy hazards, and provide tips for selecting the right toys for your child. Toys are an important part of playtime and development. Knowing which toys are safe for your child will keep them healthy and happy. Below is information to help parents and caregivers choose appropriate and safe toys.
age appropriate
Check each label for the toy’s age recommendation. Much of the risk associated with children’s toys depends on age. Toys with accurate and appropriate age recommendations should always be selected. Young children have a tendency to put things in their mouths. Toys containing small parts are a serious electric shock hazard and should not be selected. Do not select toys intended for older children thinking that they will help your child to be more advanced. This can not only lead to hazards like choking, but it can also frustrate your child and foster negativity.
Always supervise play time. This is especially critical for young children and children who have older siblings. Make sure younger children play with toys intended for them and not with an older sibling’s toys that could be dangerous to them.
safe, non-toxic
Selecting the right toy can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips for getting the right toy. Look at the labels. You can learn a lot about a toy’s contents by reading the label. Choose non-toxic. All our wooden toys are non-toxic, lead free and made with natural finishes. Look for toys that have the same qualities.
Recently, the CPSC has made recalls on toys due to high lead content. Fortunately, none of our wooden toys were part of this recall due to frequent and diligent testing. Although toy manufacturers have reacted responsibly to eliminate this threat, here are some ways to determine potential lead content. Lead can be found in plastics, vinyl, metals, and certain paint finishes. Read the labels on these items to see if they contain unhealthy chemicals and lead. If the label contains phthalates, it should be avoided. Phthalates are harmful chemicals released by some plastics. Be sure to exclude these toys from your purchase. Know who you buy from and choose companies that share your beliefs about safe toys.
Look for reputable toy manufacturers that you can trust. Our manufacturers comply with government safety standards and undergo rigorous testing to ensure toy safety. Our wooden toys have received the most prestigious toy awards and our manufacturers share our vigilance for safety. Manufacturers like: Melissa and Doug, Plan Toys, Hape and Imagiplay.
Avoid cheap toys that are poorly constructed and break easily. It goes without saying that these kinds of products can cause hazards like electric shock and injury, but cheap metals are also very likely to contain lead.
Use as intended
Teach children to use their toys the way they were designed. Being too aggressive and misusing a toy can lead to hazards and breakage.
Use toys that are electric or heat up only with adult supervision to avoid burns and electric shock. Age-appropriate recommendations must be adhered to especially for these types of products.
toy maintenance
Inspecting your children’s toys regularly is a great way to keep them safe. As you examine each toy, look for loose or broken parts. Discard toys with sharp edges, peeling paint, or other potential hazards. Consider replacing unfixable toys with new, safer products.
Toys that are well-loved need to be cleaned frequently. Here are some ways to ensure that toys are free of germs:
1. Wash toys in hot soapy water, rinse and dry.
2. Colorfast toys can be soaked in a bleach solution of ¾ cup household bleach to 1 gallon of water.
3. Lysol or other disinfectant sprays may be used for daily maintenance.
Maintaining a clear play area is another great way to eliminate hazards and injuries. Put away some toys and then rotate them in a few months. Not only will your playroom be clean, but your child will think it’s Christmas again.
Selecting safe toys and identifying potential hazards is a great way to keep our children safe. It is also important not to be afraid to let children play. Don’t stop your child from playing with toys. Keep the above recommendations in mind and you will select toys that are safe and fun. According to Dr. Toy, “Children need toys to learn, play, and develop mentally, socially, and physically. Toys are a means of developing a child’s “PQ,” or “play quotient,” which is intelligent play and responsible that engages, educates, creates and is overall fun. Stevanne Auerbach, Ph. D. Aug 17, 2007 (Timely Toy Safety Tips from Dr. Toy: How to Protect Your Child from Harm.)
If you are concerned about a toy or want more information, you can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
kristen banzhaf
September 2009
