Guidelines for Choosing Safe Toys

The United States, the United Kingdom, and countries in Europe have strict safety regulations for toys. But despite official vigilance by organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), occasionally dangerous toys do make it onto the market. You, the parent or caregiver, must form an extra layer of vigilance between you and the children in your care. This article contains guidelines for keeping children of all ages safe from toy hazards.

In general, toy safety standards have been very successful in preventing toy-related injuries. When a child is injured by a toy, it may not be because of a defect in the toy itself, but rather because of using a toy in a manner unsuitable for it.

Additionally, when dangerous or defective toys do make it into children's hands, recalls are usually swift and widely advertised. But that doesn't mean you can automatically assume a given toy is safe. You still have to use your common sense.

Safety and Age-Appropriate Labeling

When purchasing a toy, make sure it bears the label of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (in the United States), or the CE mark in Europe and Britain. Great Britain also has what is called a "Lion Mark,"

a symbolic badge of association with the British Toy and Hobby Association indicating that a toy has met the BTHA's strict standards for safety and reliability.

In the U.S., the CPSC is in charge of protecting people from unreasonable risks from thousands of consumer products, including toys. These hazards may be electrical, chemical, or mechanical, or they may be a hazard only to children.

The CPSC cites a 30% decline in the rate of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products over the last 30 years.

A CPSC or a CE label on a toy indicates that it meets minimum required safety standards, but is not a guarantee of safety.

Toys should also bear a label indicating what ages the toy is appropriate for. Most toys have age labels whether they are legally required to or not. Toys that are unsuitable for children under the age of 3 are required to have a prominent label to that effect. Other age group labels are guides to the age group that would benefit most from the toy. While these guidelines are not absolute, except the ones for children under age 3, they can help you make the best decision on which toy to buy for which child. Here are some ideas and safety tips for infants to young adolescents.

1. Children under age three

For this age group, choking is the predominant threat due to the tendency of babies and toddlers to put foreign objects in their mouths. For this reason, toys small enough to fit in a young child's mouth, or toys that have small parts that could detach and cause a choking hazard should be kept out of the reach of children under three. Other hazardous items for young children include marbles, small "bouncy" balls, and balloons.

2. Children aged three to five

Because the danger of choking diminishes as a child gets older, children from age three to five have many more options. But you do have to use common sense and avoid toys that could break and end up with sharp or pointy edges. Be aware of how children this age play. Some of them still put things in their mouths, so some toys may still present a choking hazard to some children in this age group.

3. Children aged six to twelve

Once a child reaches school age, he can safely play with most any toy. But you should still read the literature that comes with a toy or piece of outdoor equipment to learn of safety hazards. Outdoor toys such as skateboards and trampolines should always be accompanied by the proper safety equipment.

What is a parent or caregiver to do if there are children of different age groups in their care? Perhaps the most important step is to house the toys for older children out of the reach of younger children. Older children need to be aware that their toys could be harmful to babies and toddlers, and help keep them out of their reach.

Other precautions you can take include checking toy cars and trucks for loose wheels or other small parts that could come off and pose a choking hazard. Also, make sure that infant toys that are

supposed to go in an infant's mouth, such as teething rings, are large enough not to get stuck in the child's throat.

Toys with long cords that could wrap around a child's neck can be dangerous, and toys that you consider loud might be harmfully loud to children, whose hearing is generally more sensitive than that of adults.

Additionally, when you get a toy home from the store, throw away plastic bags and wrapping, and pieces of foam. These can suffocate a young child.

Keep stuffed animals and other soft toys away from stoves, fireplaces, and heaters to minimize fire hazards.

There is no substitute for properly supervising children and teaching them how to play safely with their toys. If you suspect a toy is dangerous, or if your child has an accident with a toy, first take the toy away from the child and assess whether medical attention is necessary. You should also notify the CPSC or other appropriate regulatory agency of what happened. Keep the toy (out of reach) in case a regulatory body wants to examine it.

While government agencies strive to do the best job they can in keeping children safe, they can't be everywhere. That is why it is up to parents and caregivers to be vigilant and keep toy safety in mind for the children in their charge.