Toy Safety
American consumers buy more than 1.7 billion toys
each year, according to an estimate from the Toy Manufacturers Association
of America.
In general, most toys on the market today are safe.
But, injuries still occur in spite of tough government regulations
and toy makers’ efforts to test products. The first step in
preventing toy-related injuries is to know what to look for.
Read the label:
Toy makers follow the guidelines established by the Consumer
Product Safety Commission in determining the age grading of a toy.
In most cases, this information will be on the package label. The
age recommendation reflects the safety of a toy based on four categories.
These include:
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- the physical ability of the child to play with the toy
- the mental ability of a child to know how to use a toy
- the play needs and interests present at various levels of a
child’s development
- the safety aspects of a particular toy
Some toy makers may also put warning labels about the toy for parents,
which does not mean that the toy is unsafe, but alerts parents:
- to supervise toy use to make sure a child younger than the age
listed does not misuse the toy.
- to help the child understand directions.
- that the toy may be dangerous to younger children who may choke
on a small part.
Cautionary information is often labeled on electrical toys, science
and craft toys, swim aids that are not intended as life-saving devices,
balloons, crib gyms and mobiles, and any toy that requires assembly.
Tips for toy safety:
- Toys are designed for specific uses. When used inappropriately
-- throwing it, jumping on it, or taking it apart -- the toy may
break, exposing sharp edges or loose, small pieces that quickly
may become hazards.
- Strangling may occur if a string, rope, or cord from a toy gets
tangled around a child's neck. Long objects can be deadly if your
child falls or gets tangled up in them while in a crib. Loose
or long parts of clothing, such as dangling hood cords, could
also strangle your child when tangled or hooked on playground
equipment.
- Eye injuries often result from toys that shoot plastic objects
or other flying pieces.
- An arrow, dart, or pellet can be a choking hazard when shot
into a child’s mouth.
- Injuries also can result from snapping or machine-gun noises
made by some toys -- noise levels that are higher than 100 decibels
can damage your child’s hearing. Caps are dangerous if used
indoors or closer than 12 inches from your child’s ear.
- Playing with electric plug-in toys or hobby kits may result
in serious injuries. Burns and shocks may result from frayed cords,
misuse, or prolonged use.
- Chemistry sets and other hobby kits may contain toxic substances
or materials that can catch fire and cause serious skin and eye
injuries, and also can cause explosions or poisoning.
- Toy chests and other storage containers can cause serious childhood
injuries, which can pinch, bruise, or break tiny fingers and hands
when a lid closes suddenly. Your child also can suffocate if trapped
inside a toy chest.
Toys to avoid:
Infants and toddlers should never be given toys with the following:
- parts that could pull off
- parts that could fit into a child’s mouth, nose, or ear
- exposed wires
- parts that get hot
- painted lead paint
- toxic materials
- breakable parts
- sharp points or edges
- glass or brittle parts
- springs, gears, or hinged parts that could pinch or trap fingers
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