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When buying toys, toy safety is an important factor year round, particularly now during the approaching holiday season.
Knowing what to look for in a toy in terms of safety points will ensure that the toy will present no problems later for the intended child.
Although the Toy Manufacturing Association (TMA) does set specific guidelines that toy manufacturers must adhere to when manufacturing these toys, not every toy manufacture follows these guidelines.
Toys that come into the states from other countries in all probability will not have followed those certain safety guidelines set by the TMA. Consequently, by purchasing a toy from a manufacturing located outside the U.S. this may pose a danger to a young child. This is why it is always good to buy those toys from those manufacturers who do adhere to the guidelines set by TMA.
Some of the things to look for when buying a toy are cords, or strings, that may become inadvertently wrapped around a young child’s neck, and result in possible strangulation.
Such toys may appear to be innocent enough to the unsuspecting parent, but by cutting and shortening a cord that is longer than 10 inches will alleviate any potential injury or worse to a child who will be playing with that toy.
It is also important to buy toys that are appropriate for the age of the child. Usually toy manufacturers will follow a certain criteria regarding for instance the size of small parts, which can pose a choking hazard to a young child. A toy made for older children may not follow such a criterion.
In fact small parts in toys are banned in the U.S. for children under the age of three years. This is usually or should be indicated on the packaging. It is recommended that parents/ caregivers buy only those toys that have this type of warning on its packaging to ensure that small children aren’t given toys that in fact will pose a choking hazard because of its contents.
It is recommended also to always check when purchasing a stuffed toy that the eyes and nose are attached in such a way that they, too, will not pose a safety hazard to a young child. Ensuring that these eyes and nose on a stuffed toy such as a stuffed animal is firmly attached, and in no way can be pulled off even by adult hands will ensure a child’s safety, and again prevent a possible choking incident.
Baby pacifiers should be regularly checked. These items wear out with daily use. Some have been known to break apart, thereby causing a choking hazard. It is recommended that these be discarded, and replaced with a new one whenever wear or tear starts to show. This calls for the same diligence towards baby rattles, ensuring there are no parts that can be easily broken off or come loose.
Although they are fun and a delight to watch, colorful balloons do pose a danger to young children. It is recommended never to allow a young child to play with a balloon. These balloons can be accidentally swallowed if the balloon should pop, consequently the balloon material can then become lodged inside the child’s throat, thereby blocking off the air passage. If balloons are used, i.e. for birthdays and other celebrations, then close adult supervision should be provided.
Electrical toys are relatively safe for older children, still depending on the age and maturity of the child, adult supervision should be provided.
Always take into consideration how a toy is constructed. Ensure that the paint used is nontoxic. A toy that is well made with material that won’t fall apart will be used more often and will hopefully provide hours of enjoyment for a child. A toy that is poorly constructed of ‘iffy’ material will usually not withstand the test of time. Parts may break off and if there are younger children around, again may pose a choking hazard to them.
Teaching a child to put away his/her toys will provide a safer environment. Toys scattered throughout a home can pose not only a hazard to children but to adults, particularly older adults. It is easy to stumble over toys, particularly those with wheels that are strewn about. Colorful plastic storage boxes, plastic crates that stack up are ideal storage areas for these toys. Getting a child into the habit of picking up his/her toys after they are finished playing with them will also help the child to develop a good habit of alway putting away their toys when they are finished with them.
When toys do break, and can not be repaired, it is better to simply discard them then to let them pile up and take up space inside a toy box. If a toy has worn out batteries, be sure to take the proper steps to dispose of these batteries, as they usually cannot be thrown out with the normal trash.
By taking the necessary preliminary precautions when buying toys for a child will ensure happy playful moments later on, at the same time eliminate risks, and create an overall safer environment for both child and parents/ caregivers.
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