Toy Safety

American consumers buy more than 1.7 billion toys each year, according to an estimate from the Toy Manufacturers Association of America.

In general, most toys on the market today are safe. But, injuries still occur in spite of tough government regulations and toy makers' efforts to test products. The first step in preventing toy-related injuries is to know what to look for.

Read the label:
Toy makers follow the guidelines established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in determining the age grading of a toy. In most cases, this information will be on the package label. The age recommendation reflects the safety of a toy based on four categories. These include:

• the physical ability of the child to play with the toy
• the mental ability of a child to know how to use a toy
• the play needs and interests present at various levels of a child's development
• the safety aspects of a particular toy

Some toy makers may also put warning labels about the toy to alert parents:

• to supervise toy use to make sure a child younger than the age listed does not misuse the toy.

• to help the child understand directions.

• to warn parents that a young child may choke on a small part.

Cautionary labels are found on electrical toys, science and craft toys, swim aids that are not intended as life-saving devices, balloons, crib gyms and mobiles, and any toy that requires assembly.

Tips for toy safety:

• Toys are designed for specific uses. When used inappropriately -- throwing it, jumping on it, or taking it apart -- the toy may break, exposing sharp edges or loose, small pieces that may be hazardous.

• Strangling may occur if a string, rope, or cord from a toy gets tangled around a child's neck. Long objects can be deadly if your child falls or gets tangled up in them while in a crib. Loose or long parts of clothing, such as dangling hood cords, could also strangle your child when tangled or hooked on playground equipment.

• Eye injuries often result from toys that shoot plastic objects or other flying pieces.

• An arrow, dart, or pellet can be a choking hazard when shot into a child's mouth.

• Injuries can result from snapping or machine-gun noises made by some toys -- noise levels higher than 100 decibels can damage your child's hearing. Caps are dangerous if used indoors or closer than 12 inches from your child's ear.

• Playing with electric plug-in toys or hobby kits may result in serious injuries. Burns and shocks may result from frayed cords, misuse, or prolonged use.

• Chemistry sets and other hobby kits may contain toxic substances or materials that are inflammable, explosive, poisonous or may cause serious skin and eye injuries.

• Toy chests and other storage containers may pinch, bruise, or break tiny fingers and hands when a lid closes suddenly. Your child also can suffocate if trapped inside.

Toys to avoid:
Infants and toddlers should never be given toys with the following:

• parts that could pull off
• parts that could fit into a child's mouth, nose, or ear
• exposed wires
• parts that get hot
• painted lead paint
• toxic materials
• breakable parts
• sharp points or edges
• glass or brittle parts
• springs, gears, or hinged parts that could pinch or trap fingers

Is Your Child's Toy Safe?

To check whether a toy is unsafe or report a toy-related injury, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

800-638-2772

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal regulatory agency created by Congress to "protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products."

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission