Toys Should be Fun and Safe

When buying presents for your child, select toys that are age-appropriate. No matter how mature you think that your child is, he or she should not play with toys that are meant for an older age group. Age-appropriate levels for toys are determined by safety factors rather than by intellectual and developmental factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toys be appropriate for the child’s age or stage of development.

When choosing toys for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers

• Make sure that toys are sturdy, as children will pull and twist toys and try to put them in their mouth.
• Make sure that squeeze toys, rattles and teethers are large so that they cannot be squeezed down enough to become lodged in your child’s throat.
• Avoid toys with cords or long strings because they present a strangulation hazard. Don’t hang toys with strings or ribbons in your child’s crib or playpen.
• Avoid marbles, coins, balls or games with balls that are smaller than 1.75 inches.
• Avoid button batteries.
• Avoid walkers. Walkers are one of the main sources of injuries
• Avoid thin plastic toys that can break and leave jagged edges.
• Buy art supplies that are labeled non-toxic.

  For your older child:

  Buy helmets and other safety equipment when you purchase bicycles, scooters, skateboards or skates. Turn the helmet over and look inside for CPSC or Snell stickers.

• Toy darts or arrows should have soft tips or suction cups at the ends.
• Toy guns should be brightly colored so that they cannot be mistaken for real weapons. Children should be taught to never point darts, arrows or toy guns at people.
• Children younger than 16 years of age should not use BB guns or pellet rifles. Besides the obvious risk of eye injuries, these “toy” weapons cause about four deaths per year.
• Avoid toys that make loud noises. Some toys produce noise at a level that can damage your child’s hearing.
• Electric toys are required to meet certain safety standards for construction and wiring. Look for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) labeling to be sure that they are approved. Adults should always supervise children playing with electric toys.

When buying toys online remember that websites are not required to post safety warnings associated with toys. Some toys sold on the internet may not be required to comply with toy regulations in the U.S. If buying discounted toys or toys on auction sites, be sure to check to see if the item has been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

For the latest information about toy recalls or to report an unsafe toy, go to the CPSC website, www.cpsc.gov or call their hotline at (800) 638-CPSC. If you have any concerns about whether a toy is safe for your child or not, do not let your child play with it.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Sally Robinson, MD  Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
12/6/2019

Also See:  UTMB Pediatrics - Pediatric Primary Care
CPSC Toy Recalls