Choosing Safe Toys

Millions of toys are out there, and hundreds of new ones hit the stores each year. Toys are supposed to be fun and are an important part of any child's development. But each year, scores of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-related injuries. Choking is a particular risk for kids ages 3 or younger, because they tend to put objects in their mouths.

Manufacturers follow certain guidelines and label most new toys for specific age groups. But perhaps the most important thing in a parent can do is to supervise play.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) closely monitors and regulates toys. Any toys made in---or imported into--the United States after 1995 must comply with CPSC standards.

Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when toy-shopping:

• Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Stuffed toys should be washable.
• Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint.
• Art materials should say nontoxic.
• Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Steer clear of older toys, even hand-me-downs from friends and family. Those toys might have sentimental value and are certainly cost-effective, but they may not meet current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they can break and become hazardous.

And make sure a toy isn't too loud for your child. The noise of some rattles, squeak toys, and musical or electronic toys can be as loud as a car horn-- even louder if a child holds it directly to the ears-- and can contribute to hearing damage.



The Right Toys at the Right Ages



Always read labels to make sure a toy is appropriate for a child's age. Guidelines published by the CPSC and other groups can help you make those buying decisions. Still, use you own best judgment-- and consider your child's temperament, habits, and behavior whenever you buy a new toy.

You may think that a child who's advanced in comparison to peer can handle toys meant for older kids. But the age levels for toys are determined by safety factors, not intelligence or maturity.



Like this one, we bought a toy for our 11th months baby boy, he really enjoy playing this Busy Ball Popper by Playskool. It encourages hands-on exploration and discovery. It's poppin', droppin' air powered fun! Drop the five colorful balls onto the track and they'll pop out the chute, roll down the track, then pop out all over again! Sometimes the balls spill over for even more put-and-take play! Silly sound effects and upbeat music accompany the animated action. The busy ball popper is an "air-mazing" experience!

My baby learns about cause and effect by making things happen. This toy makes cause and effect play engaging, surprising and exciting. The disappearing and reappearing ball teach developing minds that things still exist, even when they can't be seen. You can visit www.playskool.com for more information.