Toy Safety 101

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Toy safety has been an ongoing concern for every parent who reads the paper or listens to the news. It helps to understand whether a toy is safe for your child’s age. Small parts present a choking hazard and certain plastics can be toxic. Here are some thoughts about toy safety to help you keep on top of things.

 1) Choose Better Quality Toys

It stands to reason that the cheaper toys are often not manufactured by companies who value quality over quantity. While a higher price does not always mean the quality is better, more often than not, a more expensive toy will be a safer toy. Most of the countries that toy manufacturing is outsourced to do not have the strictest safety regulations, these toys may contain easily swallowed small parts or lead and other chemicals that you do not want your children exposed to. It is a good idea to check out the manufacturer before you purchase the item and that is good advice whether you are buying toys or any other product.

2) Always Check Age Recommendations

Use the age recommendations that toy manufacturers provide as a guideline. You know your child best so even if they are older than the recommended age but still tend to put things in their mouths, it is a good idea to keep them away from toys with small parts. You may also choose to let a younger child who is more advanced or careful play with a toy recommended for a higher age but only under supervision. Toy manufacturers do extensive testing but the fact is that they don’t know your child so while they can give you very good advice, the choice must be yours.

3) Be Aware of Recalled Toy Lists

As with any product, toys get recalled for various reasons. Sometimes due to accidents, or some toxic hazard that the manufacturer finds. There are websites where you can stay on top of toy recalls including:

• US Consumer Product Safety Commission 
• Recalls.gov
• The Center for Disease Control

If you buy a toy that turns out to have a problem, don’t hesitate to report it to one of these agencies.

 4) Check Out All Toys Before You Buy

It may be less expensive to purchase a toy online than in the store, but it is a good idea to go to your local toy or box store and check out the toys yourself. A visual inspection can often tell you whether a toy will be suitable for your child and when you can, take the time to handle the toys to feel if they are well built and safe.

5) Be Aware Unhealthy Substances

Toys are often made of plastic or rubber and some of these can contain substances that are toxic to your child. Among these substances are lead paint, phthalates and certain types of plastic. Lead paint has been abolished in the United States as have the phthalates found in some rubber duckies, or balls; but that does not mean that imported toys are free of these ingredients. BPA found in plastics with numbers 3,6 and 7 give off toxins that our bodies absorb. Babies put everything in their mouths and this puts them at higher risk for absorbing toxins from these plastics.

Many older toys will still contain BPA or phthalates so check used toys carefully. Even toys with recycling numbers 1, 2 and 5 must be kept away from high heat which will cause them to release toxins.  Some cleaning supplies will also break down the plastic and allow your child to absorb toxins. It is best to use mild detergent and water.

Wood and cloth toys present their own hazards but tend to be much safer than plastic toys in the long run.

Don’t let this advice on toy safety for children overwhelm you. If you make the effort to get educated about the risks and start choosing healthy toys, it will soon become a habit.