Christmas is just around the corner, meaning children will get lots of new toys! It is important to ensure these toys are safe for your child to play with. This blog post will discuss 15 toy safety tips parents should know. Keep these tips in mind when purchasing new toys for your child; they will be safe and sound!
15 Toy Safety Tips All Parents Should Know
As a parent, you want your child to have the best Christmas ever. Part of making that happen is getting them the gifts they’ve been dreaming of. But it’s also important to make sure those gifts are safe. Here are 15 toy safety tips that all parents should know.
1. Check For Age Recommendations
As any parent knows, choosing the right toys for your children can be a difficult task. Many options are available, and it can be hard to know which ones are safe and appropriate for your child’s age and development level. That’s why it’s always important to check the age recommendation on a toy before making a purchase. Toys recommended for ages 3+ often contain small parts that could pose a choking hazard for younger children. In addition, these toys may be too complex for younger kids to understand and use properly. By contrast, toys recommended for younger children have been specifically designed to be safe and easy to use. So before you buy that new toy for your child, check the age recommendation to ensure it’s the right choice for your little one.
2. Avoid Toys With Small Parts
As any parent knows, small children are fascinated by small objects. They love to put everything in their mouths and are often oblivious to the dangers of choking. That’s why it’s so important to be careful about the kinds of toys you purchase for them. Avoid toys with small parts that can easily come off, as these pose a serious choking hazard. If you must purchase a toy with small parts, make sure to closely supervise your child while they are playing with it.
3. Choose Sturdy Toys
When purchasing toys for your children, choosing ones made from sturdy materials is important. Thin plastic toys or those made from easily breakable materials can pose a safety hazard if they break while your child is playing with them. Instead, opt for toys made from thicker plastics or strong wood. These materials are less likely to break and will provide your child with hours of safe playtime. In addition, be sure to check the labels on toys before purchasing them. Avoid toys with small parts or sharp edges, as these can pose a choking hazard or cause cuts and scratches.
4. Inspect Used Toys
If you’re considering purchasing a used toy, there are several things you’ll want to check before making the purchase. First, inspect the toy to ensure all the pieces are accounted for and not broken or damaged. It’s also important to ensure the toy hasn’t been recalled by the manufacturer – you can check for recent recalls by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission website. Additionally, if your child has any known allergies, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid purchasing a used toy.
5. Avoid Toys With Sharp Edges
As a parent, it’s important to be mindful of the toys your child is playing with. Many toys on the market today have sharp edges that can pose a serious safety hazard for children. If your child comes into contact with one of these edges, they could easily be cut or scraped. To avoid this, always inspect new and used toys for sharp edges before allowing your child to play with them. If you find sharp edges, remove them or choose another toy for your child to play with. By taking these simple precautions, you can help ensure your child’s safety while they’re playing.
6. Look For Non-toxic Materials
Regarding purchasing toys for children, safety should always be a top priority. Unfortunately, many popular toys on the market are made from toxic materials that can pose a serious health risk if ingested. These materials can include lead, mercury, and phthalates. Even trace amounts of these substances can cause serious health problems, including developmental delays and cancer. To protect children from these risks, always look for toys made from non-toxic materials. These toys will be labelled as “non-toxic” or “BPA-free.”
7. Avoid Toys With Long Cords
Every parent wants their child to be safe, but it can be difficult to keep track of all the potential hazards in the home. One often overlooked danger is long cords on toys. A child tangled up in the cord could cut off their oxygen supply and lead to serious injury or death. Always inspect new and used toys for long cords before allowing your child to play with them. If a toy has a cord, ensure it is short enough that your child can’t reach it. You should also supervise your child while playing with any toy with a cord. By taking these simple precautions, you can help to keep your child safe from harm.
8. Choose Battery-operated Toys Carefully
Battery-operated toys are popular for children of all ages, but they can be dangerous if not used properly. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before allowing your child to play with one of these toys. In addition, always supervise your child while playing with a battery-operated toy. This will help to prevent choking and the hazards of ingesting batteries, such as internal bleeding and acid burns. If you have any concerns about a particular toy, contact the manufacturer for more information. With a little care and supervision, battery-operated toys can be a safe and fun way for your child to play.
9. Avoid Magnets
Children are naturally curious, and it’s not uncommon for them to put small objects in their mouths. This can be dangerous if the object is a magnet, as it can easily be swallowed. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract to each other and cause serious internal damage. For this reason, it’s important to always keep an eye on children playing with toys with magnets. If you suspect a child has swallowed a magnet, seek medical attention immediately. While most objects will eventually pass through the digestive system without causing harm, magnets can cause serious health problems if lodged in the intestines. With prompt treatment, most children will fully recover, but it’s important to take precautions to prevent this from happening in the first place.
10. Avoid Toys With Loud Noise
When choosing toys for your child, it’s important to consider their safety and enjoyment. One potential hazard that is often overlooked is the toy’s noise level. While a toy that makes loud noises can be fun for your child, it can also cause damage to their hearing. Toys that produce sounds over 85 decibels are particularly harmful and can cause permanent hearing loss if used excessively. When shopping for toys, look for ones that have volume control or make soft sounds. You can also teach your child to use headphones when playing with loud toys. By taking these precautions, you can help to protect your child’s hearing and prevent future problems.
11. Things To Consider Before Buying Stuffed Or Fabric Toys
When buying toys for young children, safety should be a top priority. Unfortunately, many toys on the market are unsafe for young kids to play with. This is especially true for toys made of fabric, which can easily catch fire and cause serious injuries. For this reason, it is important to look for toys labelled as flame-resistant or flame-retardant. These toys are made with special materials that help to prevent fires from starting. It is also a good idea to look for washable stuffed toys. If the toy gets dirty, you can simply throw it in the washing machine instead of throwing it away.
13. Riding Toys Must Have Adequate Safety Equipment
Safety is always the top priority when buying riding toys for small children. Most riding toys can be used once a child can sit up well while unsupported, but it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s recommendation before making a purchase. Riding toys like rocking horses and wagons should come with safety harnesses or straps to prevent tipping, and they should be stable and secure enough to ensure a safe ride. By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure that your child enjoys their riding toy while staying safe at the same time.
14. Avoid Marbles, Coins, Balls, And Weapons
Parents want their children to be safe, but sometimes it can be hard to know what toys are safe for them to play with. It’s important to avoid buying marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls that are 1.75 inches (4.4 centimetres) in diameter or less because they can get stuck in the throat above the windpipe and make breathing difficult. Instead, look for toys that are larger in size or have rounded edges so they can’t cause harm if swallowed. It’s also a good idea to avoid buying toy guns or other toys that could be mistaken for real weapons.
15. Teach Your Child Toy Safety
Every parent wants their child to be safe, and one of the best ways to promote safety is to teach toy safety. Children are curious by nature and often don’t know the potential dangers that their toys can pose. By showing them how to properly play with their toys and what to do if they come across a broken or damaged one, you can help prevent accidents. For example, you can teach your child to inspect their toys for sharp edges or small parts that could come loose. If they find a damaged toy, they should know to stop playing with it and tell an adult immediately. Teaching your child about toy safety can help keep them safe from harm.
Conclusion
As a parent, you are responsible for ensuring that your child is playing with safe toys. By following the tips above, you can help to keep your child safe while they play. Additionally, it is always a good idea to teach your child about toy safety so that they can be aware of the potential dangers that their toys can pose. Taking these precautions can help create a safe environment for your child to play in.