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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 - Electrical Toys
By Lill Hawkins
Chances are that an electrical toy is on your child's Wish List this
holiday season. These toys can provide years of fun for little ones,
but they can also be very dangerous - perhaps more dangerous than any
other type of toy. Here are some points to consider before you buy that
toy.
Age restrictions are VERY important when it comes to electric toys.
It's also important to remember that the age restriction on the package
is only a minimum recommendation. You also have to take into
consideration how mature your child is for her age.
Many eight year olds are mature enough to operate an electrical
railroad set, but many aren't. Only by observing and supervising your
child at play will you be able to tell if they're at the right level to
handle these types of toys.
Even more than with other toys, it's extremely important that
parents read ALL the instructions that come with electric toys. Better
yet, read them first and then go over them with the child who's going
to be using the toy.
Don't just take it for granted that the child understands the
directions. Ask questions and make sure that he or she understands
exactly how the toy should be used.
Look for warning labels and go over them with your child. Keep the
labels and instructions with the toy, so that they won't get lost. You
may want to refer to them in future.
Supervision is a must for toys that have the potential that
electrical toys do for injury. Shock, burns or even electrocution are
real hazards whenever anything is plugged into an electrical outlet.
For this reason, check the plug on the toy to make sure that it
isn't loose when it's plugged in. If you must use extension cords with
toys, use only approved ones and make sure that they're used in a safe
manner.
Be sure that there are no liquids in the area when children are
playing with electrical toys. Also, of course, be sure to keep babies
and toddlers away when electrical toys are being used by older children.
Store the toys in a dry place where younger children can't get to
them. Don't store them in places like toy boxes where electrical
components could get broken or wiring could be damaged.
Toy trains and other electrical toys can be an enjoyable part of
childhood memories, but only if you make sure that they're not misused.
It's up to you to buy safe toys and supervise their use for your
child's sake.
Find Safe Toys for everyone from toddlers to teens, along with the latest toy recall information and more at http://bestnetpages.com/safetoys
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lill_Hawkins
http://EzineArticles.com/?Toy-Safety---Electrical-Toys&id=1768621
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