Guide to Buying Safe Toys

It seems almost a daily occurrence now to hear about dangerous toys being recalled because they contain lead. For so many years, Americans have taken for granted the idea that our toys must be safe. No one expects our government to allow toys that contain lead or to allow the sale of toys which may be otherwise dangerous. What most Americans do not know is that there is very little regulation on the safety of toys. For a long time, no one cared what children played with or what they put into their mouths. This has led many parents to consider natural toys and safer alternatives for their children.

There are more positive things to buying lead-free toys than just the fact that they are safer. Lead-free toys are usually well-made and rarely of plastic, so they will last for many years, often many generations and may become heirlooms someday. In a world where almost everything is disposable, especially toys, it is nice to know that you can still invest in quality toys that will last nearly forever and be safe for generations to come.

Price is usually a big factor in finding safe lead-free toys. For the most part, cheaper toys tend to have higher levels of lead. Flimsy plastic toys that cost only a few dollars and are pretty much designed to fall apart within the year are not worth your money anyway. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for toys which are dangerous for your child and will fall apart soon, save that money and invest in fewer but higher quality toys that your children and your grandchildren will love.

Avoid toys that are made in other countries, especially China. There are few regulations in many other countries on how safe toys can be. Not all, but many companies in China do use lead in their toy and product production. By avoiding these items, you are showing that you think that lead in toys is unacceptable both for your children and also for the workers that create them, putting themselves in danger every day just to create cheap toys for Americans.

Are toys that are made in the United States safer? Not necessarily. An item is not required to be made in the United States to be labeled as made in the US. Most items that are "made in the United States" are actually only finished or assembled here. The parts themselves may come from anywhere. Toy cars, for example, can be made entirely in China and then be shipped to the US only to have their decals put on them or be placed into American-made packaging to be labeled "made in the US.

Buy Toys From Safe Countries

Currently, Germany, Switzerland, and some other European countries have the highest standards for toys. Toys from these countries are strictly regulated and are often handmade. There are several companies online that sell German and Swiss made toys. They may be a little more expensive than our cheap plastic versions, but they will last much longer and you do not need to worry about your children playing with them or putting them into their mouths. Be sure that the toy that you buy is labeled as "Made in Germany" or "Made in Switzerland." You might want to take a look at some of the following websites.

http://www.thewoodenwagon.com/

http://www.toymobile.com/

http://www.willowtreetoys.com

http://www.ostheimertoys.com/

Purchase Organic Plush Toys

Organically grown cotton is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. You know that when your baby puts an organic toy into his or her mouth, there will be no chemicals to ingest. Regular plush toys are made from plastic such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Plastic facial features of stuffed animals and dolls can also contain lead and the inner filling is plastic polyfiber filling.

Organic plush toys can be made from a variety of materials including cotton, bamboo cloth, hemp, and wool. Their stuffing is natural and they tend to have a nice smell and a very timeless feel. Organic toys are also usually handmade through fair trade companies, so you know that you are supporting companies that support their workers, both in safety and in the quality of their product. You know that a toy is made from organic materials by checking the label to make sure that it says "organically grown." Try some of the following organic toy sites.

http://www.organictoybox.com/

http://www.purehomeproducts.com

http://www.underthenile.com

http://ecobaby.com/

Natural and Wooden Toys

Other natural toys such as wooden toys are great alternatives for children. Wooden toys have a much nicer feel than plastic toys. Wooden toys will not fade, are much more durable than plastic toys, and can be repaired if broken. Be careful. Some wooden toys are painted with toxic lead paints. Look for European wood toys or purchase unpainted wood toys. When making your own toys, be sure not to use woods that have been treated for use as a building material. Building lumber is soaked in arsenic and other dangerous chemicals to keep termites from destroying it and they can make your child extremely ill.

http://www.playstoretoys.com/

http://www.woodentoys.com/

http://www.finewoodentoys.com/

http://www.oompa.com/

Buy Handmade

Many mothers work from home making handmade toys for a living. Support these hard-working full-time moms by buying handmade items. Handmade toys are unique and fun to play with. Because they are not manufactured, they have a warmth and uniqueness all their own. My favorite websites for purchasing handmade toys and children's items include the following.

http://www.Etsy.com

http://hyenacart.com/