Toy safety for children is something that every parent is aware of. If you don’t understand what’s safe at various ages, then your child could end up having an accident or choking on small parts. To help you get more aware on the safety aspects, here are five tips for making sure that the toys you buy are safe for your kids.
1) Buy High Quality Toys
Although price doesn’t always equal quality, it can often be a good measure. Buying cheap toys all the time can mean they’re more likely to break, thus creating risk for your child, or that the manufacture has been outsourced to a country where toy safety regulations aren’t as strict. If in doubt, look up the manufacturer of the toy on the Internet before you make your purchase.
2) Always Check Age Recommendations
Toy manufacturers will always list down their age recommendation for each of their toys, though you will know your child best on what is best for them. For example, if they’re older but still put things in their mouth then you should be wary of any choking hazards. Similarly, you may be willing to let your child use certain toys under your supervision if you know that they are advanced for their age. However, remember that manufacturers do have a lot of experience with toys and testing, so try to heed their advice wherever possible.
3) Keep On Top Of Lists For Recalled Toys
It’s a fact of life that some toys will be recalled from time to time. A child may have had an accident with the toy, or parts and ingredients may have been found to be unsafe since manufacture. Try to keep an eye on the latest toy recalls – this isn’t too difficult thanks to websites such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). And, if you ever find a problem with a toy, don’t hesitate to report that toy.
4) Check The Toys Physically Yourself
Even if you regularly buy toys off the Internet to enjoy the best prices, try to visit toy stores to have a look at the toys yourself first before you buy. Feel the parts of the toy to see whether any parts may come loose or break which may pose a choking hazard for young children.
5) Avoid Unhealthy Substances
Toy safety for children also means thinking about the substances that they come into contact with every day. This will take some time to get clued up on, but there are a few substances known to damage health. In particular, avoid toys using lead paint, phthalates (often found in rubber ducks or balls – now an illegal ingredient in the USA) and BPA (avoid plastic numbers 3, 6 and 7).
Don’t let this advice on toy safety for children overwhelm you. It’ll soon become a habit to check these points each and every time you buy a toy. It’s well worth it for your child’s sake.