Toy Safety

The Child Safety Protection Act, a federal toy labeling law, requires manufacturers to place warning labels on toys that pose a choking hazard to young children. Of course, toys with sharp, pointed edges, long cords and those with lead paint should be avoided also. In addition, electrical toys, toy cap guns and toys that emit loud noise are considered hazardous as well.

Keisha Nickolson of the Indiana Safe Kids Coalition at the Indiana University School of Medicine says, “Toys are an important part of a child’s development, but parents need to follow the age and safety recommendations on the labels of each toy. They take into account not only children’s cognitive skills, but their ability to handle the toy safely as well.”

Small children under the age of three are at the greatest risk of choking. Use a small parts tester, which can be purchased at a toy or baby specialty store, to measure the size of a toy or removable part. If the piece fits entirely inside the tube, then it is considered a choking hazard.

Besides toys with small or removable parts, avoid toys that produce loud noises that might impair your child’s hearing, toys with lead paint that can result in lead poisoning, toys with long cords that pose a strangling hazard, and electrically operated toys and toy cap guns that pose a potential burn hazard.

Resources:

Refresh your knowledge of toy safety, and learn what toys are good for specific age groups.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign provides some facts about toy related injuries, including statistics and prevention.

Read further information about toy safety and choking prevention.

December 13, 2003