Toy Safety

Childhood and toys go hand in hand. While toys can be wonderful tools to build a child’s imagination and independence, it’s important to keep safety in mind whenever purchasing new toys, playing with toys, or storing toys your child already has.

Most toy-related injuries involve minor cuts, scrapes and bruises. However, toys – or the parts that make up toys – can also cause major injury, illness, or even death. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a few tips for purchasing safe toys for your child:

• Read any labels on the packaging
  • Most toys come with age-appropriateness, warning, safety and usage labels. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these labels prior to purchasing a toy, and show your child how to use the toy according to these guidelines.
• Be aware of a toy’s size
  • When it comes to general safety, a larger toy is often a safer toy. Small parts can be swallowed and choked on, or can be stuck in nostrils or ears. Be aware of any small parts or accessories – including batteries and magnets  – that come with a toy prior to letting your child play with it.
• Keep an eye out for quality
  • Be sure to buy well-made toys; toys that are cheaply made can break easily, allowing loose parts to become dislodged and increase the risk of choking.
• Be aware of toy recalls
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will issue a recall of any toy that presents a hazard to children’s health. They provide a searchable list of current recalls here. If a recall is issued for a toy your child owns, remove it from your home right away.

Storing Toys Safely

Work with your child to teach them the importance of putting away their toys each day. Toys that are left on the floor become a tripping or falling hazard. Putting away toys can become part of a nightly routine with your child, and can be a fun learning activity – challenge them to a game of “Simon Says” while picking up toys. For example: “Simon Says, pick up only toys that are blue.”

Learn more about toy safety

• From the American Academy of Pediatrics:
  • Dangers of Magnetic Toys and Fake Piercings
  • How to Buy Safe Toys