Toy Safety Guidelines by Age
Keeping children safe while they play may seem a daunting task these days. In fact, most play-related injuries are avoidable. Knowing what to watch out for and some common sense can eliminate most unsafe play situations. Here are some important guidelines.
Babies learn by putting things into their mouths and are at a high risk for choking.
- Keep all items that are smaller than 1¾ inches in diameter away from children younger than three. The rule of thumb is if it can fit into a 35 mm film canister, or through a card board toilet paper tube it is small enough to block the windpipe of a small child.
- Check all toys coming into the house for small parts that can come off. Pay attention to small parts of bigger toys such as wheels on cars and trucks, eyes and noses on dolls and plush toys etc.
- Remove all toys and mobiles strung across cribs and playpens once a child can begin to push up on hands and knees.
Toddlers are tough on toys and extremely inventive. Don’t assume that they will use the toys as it was intended to be used. They will pull, poke, twist and otherwise explore toys to the max.
- Look for toys that are well-made with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.
- All toys should be made from strong, durable materials. Poorly-made toys constructed of thin brittle plastic may easily break into small pieces or leave jagged edges.
- Choose toys that have rounded edges with no sharp points.
- Pay attention to the age guidelines on the package. If it says not for children under three, it is because this item has small parts that may be a choking hazard for small children.
- Ensure older siblings play with their own toys and store them in different places.
- Encourage children, especially older siblings, to put away their playthings when they are finished playing – a good habit for many reasons.
School Aged Children
- Magnets - Kids love magnets so supervise them carefully when they play with them. The powerful rare earth magnets used in some toys and building sets are highly dangerous if swallowed. For small children, magnets in toys should be enclosed in the toy with no possibility of coming lose.
- Projectile toys - Supervise play with toys such as dart guns, bow and arrows etc. Ensure kids are old enough (at least 6 years old) to use the toy safely. These toys require the maturity to keep the toy pointed at a safe target, not other children, pets, etc. Tips should be soft and securely attached so they don't break off and pose a choking hazard to younger children.
- Art supplies and science kits - Look for labels indicating that the product “Conforms to ASTM D-4236”, which means that the formula for the art materials has been reviewed by a toxicologist for chronic hazards and the product is labeled appropriately.
General Safety Tips
- Read the label carefully. Quality manufacturers put important information about how their product should be used and what age child it is safe for.
- Stay up to date on toy recalls to protect children from the invisible threat of toxic chemicals. Click here for a list of recent recalls.
- Keep toys clean and disinfected. Look for toys that are dishwasher safe or suitable for machine laundering to prevent harmful germs from lingering.
- Inspect toys frequently (at least every 3 months). Remove all toys with loose or broken parts or sharp edges.
- Batteries should be in a closed, kid-proof compartment. Make sure that batteries in toys are properly installed and by an adult. Improper installation (e.g. in a reversed position) can cause batteries to leak or overheat. Keep battery toys away from hair. Do not allow children to sleep with battery toys.
- Avoid toys with strings long enough to form a loop that is large enough to fit over a child’s head or that can stretch to that size.
