Toy Safety Shopping Tips

I know that this is a little late for Christmas shopping but I thought I’d share some tips with you from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Under Age 3:

Avoid buying toys that are intended for older children since these may have small parts that pose a choking danger for younger children.

Never let children of any age play with uninflated or broken balloons because of the choking danger.

Avoid anything that has balls or marbles that are 1.75 inches or less, again because of the choking hazard they pose to young children.

Make sure toys are well-made with tightly secured parts since young children can be rough with toys.

Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Ages 3 through 5:

Avoid toys that are made of thin plastic since it may be easily broken into small, sharp pieces.

Look for crayons, paint sets and other art materials with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.

Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

Ages 6 through 12:

When buying a bicycle for a child, make sure you also buy a helmet and that your child wears it.

If buying a toy gun, make sure it is brightly colored so that it is not mistaken for a real gun.

Adults should periodically check toys for all children to make sure there aren’t any broken parts or potential hazards.  Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired immediately or thrown away if the toy is not repairable.

Teach children of all ages to put their toys away when they’re done playing with them so they or others will not trip over them or fall on them.

READ THE LABEL...

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards and to label certain toys that could be a hazard for younger children. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide. Labels on toys that state "not recommended for children under three ... contains small parts," are labeled that way because they may pose a choking hazard to children under three. Toys should be developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child.