Toys are one of the most colorful and beautiful tool for learning, development and imagination for children. Childhood is incomplete without these. From stuffed animals to building blocks, toys shape motor skills, cognitive abilities and social interaction. But they come with risk too.

    Every year thousands of children are injured by their toys and hundreds of toys are recalled because they prove dangerous.

    “ I never realized how dangerous button batteries were until my toddler swallowed one”. It was the worst day and after the incident I double check every toy. That’s why twice safety for children is crucial topic and every parent, guardian and caretaker should understand.

Why is toys safety important?

    Children aged three or under always in the habit of putting things in their mouth. This habit makes them vulnerable to choking hazards and harmful chemicals like lead or cadmium. Toys with sharp points or edges can hurt children of any age.

• Safe toys = better focus, less injury = more learning.
• Unsafe toys = fear and accidents = hindrance to development.

15 guidelines for Toy safety:

    Here are some guidelines to keep in mind while purchasing at wife or your children:

1. Don’t ignore instructions and warning on the packaging. Read them before selecting any toy.
2. Select toys according to your child’s Age and development stage.
3. Toys with sharp edges and loose parts should be avoided.
4. Avoid toys that have small parts. It could be choking hazard for your young children. Select toys which are at least 3 centimeter in diameter and 6 centimeter in length.
5. Always prefer toys made of safe materials like PVC free and Phthalate free. Toys made of PVC contains lead and cadmium which are toxic for children. Lead and cadmium are used as stabilizers and can also be used to give bright colors to toys, choose toys labelled as ‘Non-Toxic’.

6. Don’t buy toys which have loud noises. These can frighten the child and even damage their ears.
7. Avoid toys made up of soft plastic because it contains Phthalate which can cause kidney damage and other health problems.
8. Avoid games which have marbles, coins or balls less than 4.4 centimeter in diameter.
9. Always prefer durable toys.
10. Don’t use old paint toys. Always select toys marked with ‘ ASTMD-4236’ as they are reviewed by toxicologist. Don’t buy second hand toys.

11. If you are looking for battery operated toys then make sure they must have battery cases secure with screws so that kids can’t open them.
12. Educate children about how to use toys safely.
13. Inspect all toys for safe play. Broken toys should be discarded.
14. Always check for twice recalls on websites recalls.gov and saferproducts.gov
15. No matter how safe a toy is, supervision is the key. Always supervise your kid during play time.

How to keep toys safe at home?

• Check toy regularly for broken parts or sharp edges.
• Throw or repair broken toys.
• In case you repaint toys, use new paint as old paint contains lead, harmful for kids.
• Store toys in safe place when not in use.

• Regularly check outdoor toys for rust.
• Clean toys on regular basis. Read manufacturer’s directions on how to clean or wash them.
• Toys that fly can badly injure the eyes of kids. Keep all flying objects away from kids.
• Read all instructions carefully and teach your kids about the same.

Common Toy Safety Symbols:

👉 The Lion Mark:

It shows that toy has been made by a quality approved British toy maker. This symbol helps consumers to identify toys that are safe for children.

👉 CE Mark:

It shows that the toy meets all the rules for toy safety.

👉 Age warning:

It is used to show that the toy is unsuitable for children under three years of age. It acts as a guide for parents to select appropriate toy as per development stage of their child.

👉 Kitemark:

This symbol represents the sign of safety and quality.

How to report unsafe toys?

    If you think any toy is unsafe for your kid, you can report it on CPSC website or call on 800- 638-2772 ( TTY 800-638-8270) . CPSC is official website of U.S. government to report unsafe toys and for toys recall.

    In India, you can contact BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) or National Consumer helpline to report any unsafe toy.

Conclusion:

    Safety comes before sparkle. Toys are made for creativity, learning and to spark joy but not for danger. Being parent, it is our primary job to select and maintain safe toys for our kids. With few simple precautions, we can create a fun and safe environment for kids to grow, explore and thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions:

    I hope you get benefits from my experience and thoughts shared in this article.