Toy Safety – Instructions

Toys help children learn and develop actions that use muscles (motor skills) as well as thinking skills. If you buy toys for children, it is important to learn about what makes toys safe, and what kinds of toys to avoid.

Why is toy safety important?

Giving your child an unsafe toy can cause serious injury, such as:

• Bruising.
• Cuts.
• Choking.
• Strangulation.
• Suffocation.
• Pinching.
• Stomach and digestive problems, from swallowing something such as a battery or magnet.
• Electrocution, from toys that plug in.
• Lead poisoning.

Sometimes toys that are unsafe for babies and toddlers are safe for older children. Some toys are not safe for children of any age.

What steps can I take to make sure my child’s toys are safe to use?

Make sure that toys are appropriate for the age of your child:

• Check the packaging on the toy for the recommended age range and safety instructions.
• Do not put blankets, pillows, or toys in cribs. These are suffocation hazards for babies.
• Do not buy any of the following for children younger than age 12:
  • Chemistry sets.
  • Kits used to build toys or perform experiments.
• Keep toys made for older children out of reach of babies and younger children.

Avoid choking and strangulation hazards:

• Look for any possible choking hazards. Make sure that the whole toy and all parts of the toy are too large to fit into your child’s mouth.
• Avoid button batteries in toys for young children.
• Secure all batteries with a screw or other fastener so that children cannot access batteries.
• Do not give strings, ribbons, or pull cords to babies.
• Do not give marbles or small round objects to children younger than age 3.
• Do not give balloons to children younger than age 8.

Make sure that toys do not have hazards, such as:

• Flimsy, poorly constructed materials that break easily.
• Sharp edges.
• Long strings or cords that could wrap around your child’s neck.
• Poisonous or hazardous chemicals or materials.
• Lead in the paint or in a different part of the toy.

More ways to keep toys safe for children include:

• Looking for labeling that says non-toxic.
• Making sure that children always wear a helmet and other protective gear when riding bikes, skateboards, or other similar toys.
• Making sure that toys are washable. Clean or wash toys often to get rid of germs or harmful substances.
• Putting toys away when playtime is over.
• Inspecting toys regularly for breakage and wear. Throw away toys that have broken parts.
• Always making sure that children are appropriately supervised.

Where can I get more information?

Learn more about toy safety from:

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov  
• Safe Kids Worldwide: www.safekids.org  
• American Academy of Pediatrics: www.healthychildren.org  

Summary

• Toys help children learn and develop actions that use muscles (motor skills) as well as thinking skills.
• Make sure that toys are appropriate for the age of your child. Sometimes toys that are unsafe for babies and toddlers are safe for older children.
• Look for any possible choking hazards. Make sure that the whole toy and all parts of the toy are too large to fit into your child’s mouth.
• Make sure that children always wear a helmet and other protective gear when riding bikes, skateboards, or other similar toys.