Toy safety- a precaution that most parents overlook. Toys are a great source to explore the world and to learn, grow and imagine. But sometimes, parents buy their child the toy that he begs for. This toy can sometimes cause damage to children. In India, many cases are seen everyday of child getting hurt by a toy and even more. Swallowing small parts of toys can even cause death. So, parents should be careful about what they are buying for their children. Being a mother of two kids, I personally feel the importance of buying a toy and looking after it so that no accident will happen. I have prepared a checklist that you can carry along with you while purchasing any toy.

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✅ Before Buying a Toy:

• Is the toy age appropriate?
• Are there any small or loose parts?
• Any fur or hair like material on toy?
• Any holes or gap, where chances of finger crushing can happen?
• Are toys painted with lead free material?
• Does it have any safety certification (like CE, ASTM, ISI)?
• Are edges smooth and rounded?
• Is it Shooting or projectile toy?
• Is it free of strings?
• Is the toy well-constructed (won’t break easily)?
• Is the toys (that made with cloth) have “flame resistant”, “flame retardant”, or “non-flammable” labels?
• For battery-operated toys: Is the battery compartment secured with screws?
• If any toy needs safety gear, buy it immediately along toy.

✅ After Buying a Toy:

• Have you removed all packaging and plastic wraps, before giving it to your child?
• Checked for any choking hazards like loose eyes, buttons or small parts?
• Tested loud toys to ensure they’re not harmful?
• Label all toys by age category, if you have multiple kids at home.
• Read all warning labels and instructions on how to use the toy.

✅ During Playtime:

• Supervise your kid while playing.
• Make sure toys are used as intended. No throwing, dismantling, or chewing happens.
• Keep hazardous toys out of reach of children.
• Noisy toys should be limited to short period.

✅ Ongoing Toy Safety:

• Check toys regularly for cracks, loose parts or exposed wires.
• Never store toys in plastic bags.
• Examine all toys for buttons, magnets, beads and eyes that might be loose.
• Check outdoor toys for rust.
• Clean toys regularly with child-safe disinfectants.
• Throw broken or unsafe toys immediately.
• Store toys properly to avoid damage.
• Toy box must be ventilated.
• Teach your child about toy safety rules like “Toys are not for mouth”.
• In case of any emergency, call an ambulance immediately.