Choose Safe & Healthy Toys

Toy-related injuries send thousands of children to the hospital emergency each year. Many injuries occur when parents give their children toys meant for older children. Although many toy manufacturers follow safety guidelines for their products, some don’t. Your challenge is to find toys your children will enjoy and that you know are safe. Remember, the right toys can help children develop imagination and coordination while the wrong ones can do more harm than good! Here few tips to choose safe & healthy toys for your loving child:

Watch for small parts

• Don’t give toys with small parts to toddlers and small children. These youngsters tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.

Age appropriate

• Select toys to suit a child’s age, abilities, skills and interest level. Toys that are too advanced can pose safety hazards.

Look for warnings

• Look for and follow any warning labels in the pack before buying toys.

Is it noisy?

• Avoid toys that make loud or shrill noise to avoid serious ear injury.

Choose well-made stuffed animals

• The eyes, noses and other small parts of stuffed animals should be securely fastened to decrease the risk of choking.

Hobby kits

• Never buy hobby kits, such as chemistry sets, for children younger than 12. Provide proper supervision when older children play with such toys.

Watch the action

• Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. Slingshots and high-powered water guns can injure targeted children. Guns shouldn’t be considered as good toy choice.

No heat

• Avoid toys with electric heating elements.

Inspect toys for solid construction

• They should be made of durable materials, have no sharp edges or points and be able to withstand impact.

Read carefully

• Read instructions carefully and follow suggested age levels and safety instructions. Age labeling is provided for developmental and safety reasons.

Show and tell

• Explain and demonstrate how to use toys.

Toss it

• Repair or discard damaged toys.

Keep separate

• Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger ones.

How do they play?

• Don’t let children play with toys in dangerous ways.

Trash wrappings

• Discard wrappings immediately. Sharp staples and plastic bags can cause injuries and pose safety hazards.

Safety rules

• Make a list of safety rules and share them with your children. If your youngsters are playing with friends, remind everyone of your safety rules.

Give away used toys

• Make a habit of donating used toys to the underprivileged child or organization that can give away to those who don’t have luxury to have them.