With so many toys out there it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But you know you need to buy a good, safe toy for your kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics gives some great tips how to do this.
There are lots of things to take under consideration when choosing and buying new toys. Especially for very young kids.
Susan Stevens Martin from the AAP has set up the DailyHerald and it’s own site with a 12 step guide and tips on how to buy safe toys. The tips cover lots of stuff and criteria, so you should take a look a them.
It’s also a good idea to set up some time for toy research and not rush the process. Even if you have a good idea of what toys you want.
Here’s how to buy safe toys
1. Read the label. Warning labels give important information about how to use a toy and what ages the toy is safe for. Be sure to show your child how to use the toy the right way.
2. Look for learning toys. When choosing gifts for babies and toddlers, consider toys that will build developmental skills. Toys that can be manipulated, such as shape sorters, stacking blocks, and baby-safe puzzles, are great for developing fine motor, cognitive, and perceptual skills.
3. Think LARGE. If you are buying a toy for a child under age 3, make sure all toys and parts are larger than the child’s mouth to prevent choking.
4. Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. They can cause serious eye injuries or choking.
5. Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child’s hearing.
6. Be cautious about toys containing button batteries or magnets. Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems — including death — after swallowing button batteries or magnets, which can be in small electronics and building toy sets. Keep button batteries and magnets away from young children.
7. Look for stuffed toys that are well made. Make sure all the parts are on tight and seams and edges are secure. It should also be machine washable. Take off any loose ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation. Avoid toys that have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation if swallowed.
8. Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning. Make sure the label says “nontoxic.”
9. Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 12 years. They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous chemicals. Make sure an older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of toys.
10. Electric toys should be “UL Approved.” Check the label to be sure. To prevent burns and electrical shocks, do not give children under age 10 a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
11. Be careful when buying crib toys. Soft objects should be kept out of the crib. Any hanging crib toy (mobiles, crib gyms) should be out of the baby’s reach, and must be removed when a baby first begins to push up on his or her hands and knees or when the baby is 5 months old, whichever occurs first. These toys can strangle a baby.
12. Make a plan for tech use. If you are considering a digital device for a child or teen, such as a tablet, smartphone or game system, think about the purpose of the device and the rules you want to set around its use.
Choosing the Right Toys for the Right Age:
Age recommendations on toys can be helpful, because they offer guidelines on the following:
•The safety of the toy (for example, if there any possible choking hazards)
•The ability of a child to play with the toy
•The ability of a child to understand how to use a toy
•The needs and interests at various levels of a child’s development
For more information on holiday and toy safety, visit HealthyChildren.org.
