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| Toys are the treasures of childhood, as long as they're chosen with care. But are toys really hazardous? You may want to observe these guidelines when choosing toys, and share them with anyone who may be buying gifts for your children.Here are some questions you should bear in mind ... |
 Is it suited to the developmental level of your child?
| Most toys bear a "recommended age" sticker, which should be taken as a starting point in the selection process. Be realistic about your child's abilities and level of maturity when choosing an age-appropriate toy. |
What is the safe size for toy parts?
| Until your child turns 3, toy parts should be bigger than his mouth to avoid the possibility of choking. To determine whether a toy poses a choking risk, try fitting it through a toilet paper roll. If a toy or part of a toy can fit inside the cylinder, it's not safe. |
Is the toy too heavy? Could your baby be harmed if it fell on him?
Is the toy well put together?
| Make sure tails are securely sewn, seams of stuffed animals are reinforced, and paint is not peeling. Stuffed animals should also be free of buttons, yarn, ribbons, and anything else your child could yank off and put in his mouth. |
Does the toy have sharp edges?
| New toys intended for children under eight years of age should, by regulation, be free of sharp glass and metal edges. With use, however, older toys may break, exposing cutting edges. |
Is your child physically ready for this toy?
| For example, parents of older kids may buy a bike one size too big so as not to have to buy a new bike the next year. This tactic can lead to serious injury if a child doesn't have the physical skills to control the bigger bike. |
Does the toy cause loud noises ?
| Toy caps and some noisemaking guns and other toys can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires the following label on boxes of caps producing noise above a certain level: "WARNING −− Do not fire closer than one foot to the ear. Do not use indoors." Caps producing noise that can injure a child's hearing are banned. |
Is the toy in good condition?
| Used toys passed down from older relatives or siblings or bought at yard sales can be worn or frayed, which can be sometimes pose a danger. Examine all new or used toys for buttons, batteries, ribbons, eyes, beads, and plastic appendages that could easily be chewed or snapped off. |
Does the toy have a string or cord longer than 12 inches?
| A cord can too easily be wrapped around a young child's neck, causing strangulation. Once your child can climb up on his hands and knees, remove crib gyms and hanging mobiles from his crib. Be particularly vigilant about older toys. For example, an older model of a popular play kitchen may have a phone attached with a potentially deadly cord, while the latest model of the same kitchen has the more current and safer cordless phone. |
Will the toy have sharp points if broken?
| Toys which have been broken may have dangerous points or prongs. Stuffed toys may have wires inside the toy which could cut or stab if exposed. Sharp points in new toys and other articles intended for use by children under eight years of age are prohibited. |
Does the toy have propelled objects?
| Projectiles (guided missiles and similar flying toys) can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury. Check to be sure the tips are secure. Avoid those dart guns or other toys which might be capable of firing articles not intended for use in the toy, such as pencils or nails. |
Is it an electric toy?
| Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired or misused can shock or burn. Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for maximum surface temperatures, electrical construction and prominent warning labels. Electric toys with heating elements are recommended only for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use electric toys properly, cautiously and under adult supervision. |
Does the toy use small magnets?
| Small, powerful magnets are often used in toys, and may fall out of the toy and be swallowed by a child. Two or more swallowed magnets (or a magnet and a metal object) can be attracted to each other through intestinal walls, causing twisting and pinching of the intestines, holes, blockages, infection, and worse if not discovered and treated promptly. |
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