Tips for Toy Safety

Kids will be out of school in a couple short weeks, and celebrations with family are coming soon. Meal planning and gift buying may already be in full swing. Shoppers have many choices, and if you are buying for kids, options may seem endless. An average of 516 kids every day report to emergency departments for toy-related injuries (SafeKids.org), so safety should be a top priority. Follow these tips to make this holiday season the safest one possible!

Have you ever noticed the age guidelines on toys? All toys intended for use by children 12 years of age and younger must be tested by a third party and certified as compliant to the federal toy safety standards set up by Congress (CPSC.gov). The age guidelines take into account multiple factors, such as size of pieces, material used in production and complexity of the toy. While all children of the same age are not at the same place developmentally, guidelines are set for the average.

While Craigslist and garage sales may seem like great places to buy toys, steering clear of older toys is often a better idea. Although used toys might be more affordable, they may not meet current safety standards and may be worn out and therefore break easily (KidsHealth.org).

Watch for recalls. Cars, food, toys and more can be recalled for different reasons, such as the item’s breaking, malfunctioning or injuring children. Recall information can be found in a variety of locations. Many baby stores post recalls every month for the items they sell. When a recall is large enough, broadcast and print news outlets cover this info as well. Finally, if you have any questions, you can go online and search Recall.gov. This website allows you to sign up for alerts to be notified when something is recalled.

So many toys these days make some sort of noise. While this noise most likely complies with all standards, kids do not always play with the toy the way a manufacturer intends. They may hold the toy up to their ears or play multiple toys at the same time to increase the sound in the room. When looking for toys to purchase, remember, lights and sounds are not necessarily beneficial. Educating kids on proper use is key.

Thousands of toys are on the market, and probably the most important aspect of keeping a little one safe is for a parent/caregiver to supervise the child’s play.

Jessica Heine lives in is a labor and delivery nurse. She lives in Olathe with her family.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.