Children at all ages are at risk for toy injury. To help protect children, follow the advice from the National Safe Children's Campaign and the American Academy of Pediatrics:
General Guidelines
- Play is most valuable when adults become involved and interact with children during play, rather than simply providing the toys or supervising the activity.
- Teach children to put toys safety away after playing. Ensure that toys intended for younger children are stored separately from those for older children.
- Inspect old and new toys regularly for damage and potential hazards. Make any necessary repairs immediately or discard damaged toys out of reach of children.
Safety Rules
- Avoid toys with sharp points or edges, toys that produce loud noises, and projectiles (such as darts).
- Toys with strings, straps or cords longer than 7 inches can unintentionally strangle children and should be avoided .
- Electrical toys are a potential burn hazard. Avoid toys with a heating element - batteries, electrical plugs -- for children under age 8.
- Toy cap guns use caps that can be ignited by the slightest friction and cause serious burns.
- Use mylar balloons instead of latex to eliminate the risk of choking. If you must use latex balloons, store them out of children's reach, do not allow children to inflate them, and deflate and discard balloons and balloon pieces after use.
Remember that children of all ages are at risk for toy-related injury.
Appropriate selection and proper use of toys, combined with parental supervision, can help to reduce the incidence and severity of such injuries.
Visit the Toy Guide for recommendations of safe toys by age level, and the Toy Store for manufacturers who have a commitment to lead-free toys and children's safety.