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Toy
Safety Guidelines
According to the
most recent data compiled by the Consumer Products
Safety Commission, there were 21 toy-related deaths
to children and 150,000 injuries (1995 figures). So
parents and other adults obviously must be safety
experts and examine toys carefully for dangerous components.
Also, youngsters model their behavior on adults around
them and learn safe play habits from grown-ups. Taking
care of toys makes them safer to play with, but it
also teaches children responsibility. The tips below
may help you when choosing and maintaining toys for
the children in your life.
•
Follow recommended age ranges found on toy packaging.
These ranges are developed because of safety and
developmental issues.
• Look for other package warnings such as "small
pieces," "toxic," or "requires supervision."
• For children under age three, avoid toys
with small parts, sharp points or rough edges.
• Check for sturdy, well-sewn seams on stuffed
animals and dolls. Be sure the eyes, noses and other
decorations can1t be bitten or pulled off.
• Look for labels such as "machine washable"
and "surface washable" and, on electric toys, "UL
(lb)Underwriters Laboratories(rb) Approved."
• To prevent a child from becoming trapped
or pinching fingers, purchase toy storage that has
a removable lid or a hinge that allows the top to
remain open.
• Supervise the use of balloons with any child
under the age of six.
• Remove and discard all packaging from a toy
before allowing a small child to play with it.
If
you feel you have an unsafe toy at home, call 1-800-929-TOYS
or report it to the Consumer Product Safety Commission
in Washington, D.C. at 1-800-638-2772.
Toy
Safety Tips
Toy
safety should be an important part of the decision-making
when it's time to buy toys for children. Consider
the following guidelines when choosing a toy.
1.
The toy should be DURABLE, made of strong materials
that can withstand chewing.2. Infants and
small children tend to put things in their mouths.
Rattles with long handles shaped like a lollipop
pose the potential for choking. They do NOT pass
U.S. safety regulations. Be sure everything you
give a child is safe enough to go into the mouth.
3. Any toy given to children under age 3
should be free of small parts that they might put
in their mouths and choke on. Check the eyes, noses,
and other small parts on stuffed toys and dolls
to be sure they can't be ripped off the toy and
end up in a child1s mouth.
4. Detachable doll clothes are not suitable
for children under age 3. And any doll clothes should
be made of a flame-resistant material such as polyester.
(Cotton is flammable.) Stuffed toys should be filled
with a soft, pure stuffing. If you are unsure of
the type of fabric, call the manufacturer before
making the purchase. Most toy companies have an
800 number printed directly on the package.
5. Toys shouldn't have jagged edges or sharp
pieces that can prick a finger or injure any other
part of the body.
6. Loud musical toys or other loud toys can
damage a child's hearing if used for an extended
period of time.
7. Video toys or toys that shoot objects
can endanger the eyes, so adults should monitor
any use of these toys to keep situations safe.
8. Electrical toys and toys with corroded
batteries can cause harmful or fatal injury so adults
should supervise the use of these toys and explain
the potential dangers to children.
9. All firearms, B.B. guns, slingshots, bows
with arrows, and motorized vehicles, regardless
of size, are not toys. If children want to use them
they should wear protective gear and be supervised
by adults or they may suffer severe injury or even
death.
10. All painted toys, toys to develop art
ability, and toys containing liquids should be NON-TOXIC.
If not, don't buy them.
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