It’s Christmas morning. The kids wake up at the crack of dawn. They run downstairs to see what Santa has left for them under the tree. No time is wasted as they tear the paper off of the neatly wrapped gifts. They just can’t wait to play with their new toys.
As a parent, few things are more rewarding than seeing a huge smile spread across your child’s face. Christmas morning is no exception. You’ve probably gone to great lengths to get them the toys they’ve so excitedly requested from Santa. It’s important, however, to consider whether or not these toys are really safe for your child to have. Every year, hundreds of thousands of children suffer unexpected injuries because of defective and dangerous toys.
You can help to keep your kids safe this Christmas by doing a little investigative work before buying the hot new toys and gifts. Keeping the following suggestions in mind can help to make your family’s Christmas a safe and fun one for all.
Toys Should Be Age Appropriate
Make sure that the toys you buy are age appropriate for your young children. Today, most toy manufacturers provide helpful safety warnings on packaging and inserts for their products. These warnings typically include a suggested age range for the product. These age ranges serve two purposes. First, the age range can help you narrow down which toys may be best suited for your child’s interests, level of skill, and development. Second, the age range can help you choose the toys that are safest for your children.
Risk of Choking
Buying toys that are too advanced for a young child can be incredibly dangerous. Many toys contain small parts. Giving these toys to a child under the age of three can create a significant choking hazard. Kids of this age tend to put everything they touch in their mouths. Small parts of a toy can become lodged and block their airways. Other small parts may be swallowed and obstruct the child’s digestive tract. In either event, they may require an emergency trip to the hospital.
Make sure that all parts of a toy are larger than your child’s mouth. The best rule of thumb is to make sure parts are larger than 2 ¼ inches long and 1 ¼ inches in diameter. This should include batteries, magnets, and other components that may be hidden within the toy.
Risk of Electrocution
Many safety experts also suggest keeping toys simple when your kids are under the age of 10. If a toy needs to be plugged in to operate, your child may be at risk of electrocution or shock. It’s best to save these advanced toys and gifts for when your child is old enough to use them without constant adult supervision.
Be Wary of Chemicals and Toxins
Manufacturers in the United States are required to comply with strict safety regulations. Laws prohibit companies from using dangerous chemicals, plastics, and paints in the toys they produce. However, not all toys that are sold in the country are built here. Many are made overseas in countries where safety regulations aren’t as rigid. As a result, it’s actually fairly easy to get your hands on toys that could be toxic and a threat to your child’s health.
How can you be sure that the toy your child really wants is safe? Consider these helpful tips:
- Smell the product before you buy it. Strong chemical odors may indicate that the toy isn’t the best choice for your growing child.
- Look for a place of manufacture. Toys made in the United States are subject to important safety regulations.
- Read the label and safety warnings. Manufacturers should disclose potential risks and hazards that could harm your child. Avoid toys manufactured with lead, BPA, PBDEs, and phthalates. It’s even better if products are labeled as “nontoxic.”
- Look for UL Certified toys. A UL Certification means that the toy has been rated for safety by an independent company.
- Read online reviews. Reviews, both by consumers and consumer safety organizations, can offer a great deal of insight and information into a particular product.
Companies have an obligation to make sure that toys are safe for children. If a toy is defective or inherently dangerous, the company can be financially responsible for your child’s injuries by filing a product liability claim.
Hand Me Downs Should Be Considered Carefully
Your children will want all of the latest and greatest toys. You may want to supplement these new gifts with a toy that you enjoyed as a kid. However, you may be unaware that the old toy was manufactured with chemicals and plastics that are incredibly toxic. In fact, companies are prohibited from using those chemicals and plastics in the manufacture of today’s toys. The toy may even have a coat (or two) of lead paint. Playing with the toy could pose a serious threat to your child’s health. Every year, thousands of children suffer injuries because of accidental poisonings. Many times, older toys are the culprit.
This doesn't necessarily mean that you can’t pass your favorite childhood toys onto your children. However, you should have the toy evaluated by a safety professional. Have it tested for dangerous toxins and the presence of lead paint. It’s possible that you could have the toy fixed and updated to make it safe for your young child.
