How to Make Safe Toy Purchases During the Holiday Season, 6 Tips for Safe Toys

Here are 6 tips on how to make safe toy purchases during the holiday season. Safe toy purchases are important to the health and well being of children. Children under age 4 are more at risk than children who are older. Children at age 4 put objects in their mouths and that creates a choking hazard.

Choking accounts for most toy related injuries and death on small children under age 4. Children can also suffer from falls, poisoning, strangulation, drowning and burns while playing with toys. Even safe toys are dangerous if misused by giving to children who are too young to play with them.

How to Make Safe Toy Purchases During the Holiday Season

1- Consider Child's Age

Consider the child's age when making a toy purchase. Purchase toys for their physical and emotional development. Purchase for their interest and ability to play with the toy.

2- Avoid Dangerous Toys

Don't purchase toys with sharp points and rough edges. Don't purchase toys with small parts that present dangers such as, strangulation and choking.

3- Instructions and Assembly

Read instructions and assembly by the directions. Don't assembly toys without reading instructions because if done improperly the child may be injured. Check toys for damage every three months.

4- Discard Packaging

Remove and discard packaging materials before giving toys to children. Plastic wrapping and cardboard can cause choking and suffocation in children.

5- Remind Children of Toy Safety

Remind children to put toys away after playtime. Toys left out on floors cause falls and injuries.

6- Shopping Online For Toys

Beware of shopping online for toys during the holiday season. Toy retailers online don't have to provide information on choking hazards and age appropriations in product descriptions. Online toy sellers may be foreign manufacturers who don't meet US regulations.

Making safe toy purchases during the holiday season is the best way to prevent holiday emergencies.