Toys and play activities are important to a child's growth and development. Follow these guidelines for selection of toys that are appealing and safe for children:
- Select toys that match a child's stage of development. Look for labels that identify the age level for which the toy is appropriate before purchasing. The label also will indicate if a toy is fire resistant and non-toxic.
- Look for these toy safety hazards.
- sharp edges or corners
- projectile parts can hurt eyes
- toys without volume control or squeaky toys can damage hearing
- electric toys or toys that can heat up with light bulbs can burn
- latex balloons...if they burst, small children may choke on the balloon pieces
- flammable materials such as hair on dolls and stuffed toys
- staples or pins in stuffed toys
- plastic, brittle, or glass products
- toys boxes with lids
- toys with strings and cords that can become wrapped around wrists or necks
- Carefully evaluate all parts involved with a toy. Are the parts removable? Are the parts small enough to put in a child's mouth? If the parts are small enough to fit in a 35mm plastic film canister, the pieces are too small for young children.
- Know the history of second-hand toys. Toys manufactured prior to 1976 may be covered with lead paint.
- Establish ground rules for toy gun play, such as not pointing guns at people, only using guns for target practice, and making certain children understand the difference between toy guns and real guns.
- Check battery operated toys occasionally to make sure batteries have not burst or leaked.
Related Documents
Parent's Printable Version - English
Parent's Printable Version - Spanish
Children's Printable Version - English
Children's Printable Version - Spanish (PDF 1.0MB)
|
