Toy Safety: Tips for Buying Safe Toys

Look for a toy that matches the interest, developmental age, and the skills of the child. When purchasing a toy, be sure the toy is constructed with safety in mind, the intended owner will use the toy safely, and the toy is not a safety hazard for younger siblings in the family. Refer to these safety tips before you buy:

. Pay attention to the safety warning on the toy package.
. Include essential safety gear as part of a gift, for example, bike and helmet.
. Think large. Avoid toys small enough to put into a child's mouth. Make sure there are no removable parts.
. Avoid toys that shoot small objects.
. Avoid toys that make loud or shrill noises. Sounds may be too loud for your child's sensitive hearing.
. Look for sturdy toy construction.
. Watch out for sharp points or edges and toys made from thin plastic.
. Avoid toys that could cause poisoning such as paint sets and crayons (unless labeled nontoxic) and small batteries.
. Do not buy hobby kits or chemistry sets for a child under 12 years.
. Buy only "UL approved" electric toys.
. Choose a toy chest carefully. The best toy chest is a box or basket without a lid. If the chest has a hinged lid, make sure it has a lid support that will hold the lid open in any position. The chest should have ventilation holes. The edges should be smooth. The finish should be nontoxic.

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Information about Toy Safety was graciously shared by Dr. Patricia Keener, author of Caring for Kids: Useful Information & Hard-to-find Facts About Child Health and Development , and Riley Hospital for Children.