Safe Toy & Gift Awareness
With the holiday season approaching, your thoughts may be turning to shopping for toys and gifts. You’ll want to get the children in your life their favorite toys, and there are thousands of toys to choose from in stores and online. Before you make those purchases remember to consider the safety and age-range of the toys.
To prevent injuries, choose toys that are safe for the age of the child. Look for labels to help you judge which toys might not be safe, especially for infants and children under age three. For children of all ages, consider if the toys are suited to their skills and abilities.
Even within the child’s age range, toys suitable for one child might not be suitable for another child. It’s good to keep in mind that younger children, if they’re not being watched closely, may play with toys purchased for older children. Here are some guidelines for choosing safe toys for all ages:
- Look for toys that have a solid design and a sturdy construction—toys that won’t break, crush, or be pulled apart easily.
- Check to see if the instructions are clear.
- Read the labels to see if there are any fire hazards.
- Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection—ASTM means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
Along with knowing what kinds of toys to choose, it’s important to know what kinds of toys to avoid in order to prevent possible injuries. For example, do not choose:
- Toys with small parts and sharp edges and points.
- Guns and other toys that shoot flying objects and make loud noises.
- Crayons and markers that are not labeled nontoxic.
- Toys that could shatter into fragments if broken.
- Toys with ropes and cords.
- Electric toys with heating elements.
To learn more about toy safety, visit www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/toy_sfy.html.
For toy safety shopping tips, visit www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/toy/toysafe.html.
