Toy
Safety Article: The information you need to make safe toy choices and
valuable tips on what you as parents and caregivers can do to protect
your children from unsafe toys!
Toy Safety - Quick Tips to
Protect Your Child
By Jim
DeSantis
With millions of toys being recalled for having
lead paint, dangerous magnets, or hazardous construction, it is a fact
that the vast majority of toys are safe. However, there is always a
risk of injury. There are federal standards for toy safety, but parents
still need to act cautiously when it comes to choosing their children's
toys.
Every year more than 200,000 children receive
injuries from toys that cut, puncture, burn, shock, or choke them. Many
times the cause is a lack of supervision, misuse of the toy, or use of
a toy that is not age-appropriate. These accidents happen at home, in
school, at the home of playmates, even in day care. The figure includes
more than 70,000 toy-related injuries to pre-schoolers.
While there are mandatory federal standards and
voluntary industry standards for toy safety, these are no guarantee of
safety, since safety testing is only performed at random or after
children experience injuries from a particular toy. So you, the
consumer, need to do your own testing before you purchase a toy for a
child.
While you may find good toys at local yard sales
or thrift shops, you need to ask yourself if the toys were part of a
recall or if they are, in fact, santized. At today's prices, it's
tempting to buy used toys but is it really in the best interests of
your child? As for new toys, many safe, good toys are available in a
wide range of prices, so it really makes sense to invest some money in
a toy that is appropriate even if it is used for only a short time.
While you may find good toys at local yard sales
or thrift shops, you need to ask yourself if the toys were part of a
recall or if they are, in fact, santized. At today's prices, it's
tempting to buy used toys but is it really in the best interests of
your child? As for new toys, many safe, good toys are available in a
wide range of prices, so it really makes sense to invest some money in
a toy that is appropriate even if it is used for only a short time.
There are several reliable sources for determining
toy safety, quality, and value. The Consumer Product Safety Commission
is a government agency which supplies many great tips on line at their
website. Major retailers have on line sites as well that provide
unbiased consumer reviews. The leader in this is Amazon.com. They have
been around the longest and they provide the good and bad when it comes
to consumer reviews. This is important because many other retailers do
not provide this information as it may interfere with sales. Amazon
puts the consumer first.
Besides consumer reviews, here are some good tips
suggested by consumers:
Look for Testing Labels
As a parent, you need to check for markings
indicating that toys have been safety-tested by an independent, third
party product safety organization, such as Underwriters Laboratory. A
U.L. mark on a toy means that the product has been thoroughly tested by
U.L. engineering staff and found to meet all relevant safety
requirements.
Look for Age Notices
For example, if the toy you are considering
purchasing has a marking such as: age 3 and up or age 2 and up, you
will not want to buy the toy if your child is age a year-and-a-half. If
your child is only a year-and-a-half. Such toys could contain small
parts that might pose a choking hazard for your child.
Look for Manufacturer Warnings
Nearly all toys today contain a manufacturer's
warning. You need to take the warning seriously. It has been placed
there to protect your child from harm. Also, be sure to read any
instruction booklet that comes with the toy. Look for other safety
labels including: "Flame retardant/Flame resistant" on fabric products
and "Washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.
Be Sure to Clean Up and Clean Up
Wipe down plastic, wood, or metal toys with a mild
anti-bacterial soap and water solution to remove any possible human or
machine contamination before the child uses the toy on a regular basis.
Immediately throw out any plastic packaging and
gift-wrapping after a toy has been opened. Such materials can represent
a suffocation hazard. Also, be sure to inspect the toy for possible
cracks, breaks, or ripped seams which could pose a danger to your
child. Sharp edges can lead to painful cuts for children. If a toy must
be assembled, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.
Toy Storage Is Important
Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. Use
a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in any position to which
it is raised, and will not fall unexpectedly on a child. For extra
safety, be sure there are ventilation holes for fresh air. Watch for
sharp edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or squeeze. See
that toys used outdoors are stored after play -- rain or dew can rust
or damage a variety of toys and toy parts creating hazards.
When Choosing Which Toys To Buy
Choose toys with more than fun in mind. Keep in
mind the child's age, interests and skill level. For example,
educational toys are an important part of a child's intellectual
growth. They teach a little boy or girl about colors, sounds, letters,
motion, and friction. They can also inspire a child's creativity.
Small Children Should Have Toys For Small Children
Keep toys designed for older children out of the
hands of little ones. Follow labels that give age recommendations -
some toys are recommended for older children because they may be
hazardous in the hands of a younger child. Teach older children to help
keep their toys away from younger brothers and sisters.
Even balloons, when uninflated or broken, can
choke or suffocate if young children try to swallow them. More children
have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of broken balloons
than on any other type of toy.
Be a wise toy buyer. You can purchase "fun" toys
that are also safe and priced for just about any budget.
Find out what toy owners have to say. Visit http://www.jdanswers.com/toyindex.php
- Consumer Toy
Reviews, a website edited by former TV Investigative
Reporter, Jim DeSantis, the author of this article. You'll find today's
hottest toys and unbiased consumer reviews.
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