Keep Your Kids Safe from Recalled Toys

Keeping your kids safe seems like an endless battle that we as parents will never feel like we've won. There are enough things for us to worry about our kids getting into; their toys should not have to be a concern. Recalled toys are numerous in this country and we as parents need to be made aware of the risks these toys present to our children. There are several things you can do to avoid these dangerous and recalled toys and also make yourself aware of some hidden dangers in toys you may not know about.

The first thing you need to do is check up on current recalls frequently, you can do this at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If you have a toy or product that has been recalled and your not sure if it is exactly what you have check the product number. The product number is usually on the bottom or side of an item where you normally wouldn't be able to see it. There is always an updated list of recalled toys on the CPSC web site with product numbers. If you find out that a toy has been recalled get it out of reach of babies and toddlers as quickly as possible. Usually a free replacement or compensation is a given when dealing with the recalled item. Taking away the toy and keeping your kids safe is much more important than upsetting your child by taking the toy away.

There are some toys that are more dangerous than others and obviously those with moving parts and smaller pieces should be inspected on a regular basis. It seems strange to me that more testing isn't done on these toys before put into production and out the public for use. You would think they could come up with all possible dangers before shipping these toys to little kids. One of the most dangerous in recent history has been the Mattel recall for some items with strong magnets in them. As the toys are played with more and more the magnets come loose and can be swallowed. You need to check the toys often for loose pieces to make sure nothing is loose.

Another issue with toy recalls has been toys with lead in them; either lead paint or even vinyl bibs have been on the list. A test for lead exposure should be given to your child every so often, especially if you feel that he or she has been exposed to lead. It is a simple blood test and can be a good way to keep your child healthy.

So, the best thing to do is keep up on the toys your children have and keep up on recent recalls. The CPSC is a good site to visit for many issues but this is very helpful. It can be hard to go through all your children's toys and look for product numbers so the easiest thing to do is make a log of the toys as you get them and mark down the product number. Keep your children safe and take these few simple steps to keeping your child healthy and having fun.