Selecting Safe Toys for Your Child
Selecting Safe Toys for Your Child:The medical experts at HealthAmerica offer parents these simple shopping guidelines for choosing child toys: -- Always read labels to make sure that the toy is appropriate for your child's age. -- The age-appropriate level for a toy is determined by safety factors, and even though your child may seem mature for his age, he may not be able to safely handle a toy that was meant for an older child. -- Always look for toys that appear to be well constructed and ones that clearly include age recommendations on the labels. -- Toys made of fabric should say flame resistant or flame retardant on their labels. -- Stuffed toys should be washable. -- All toys should be painted with lead-free paint. (This can be a concern with older toys that may be hand-me-downs.) -- Art materials (including crayons) should say nontoxic somewhere on their packaging. -- If a new toy is shrink-wrapped, be sure to immediately discard the plastic wrapping after opening the toy for the first time. (Younger children, especially toddlers, may look at plastic wrap as something new and fun to play with, put it into their mouths, and choke.) -- Regularly inspect your child's toys to make sure they are not broken and do not have broken seams where small removable parts (such as squeakers in squeeze toys) could be exposed. -- Avoid toys with cords or long strings. These present a strangulation hazard to very young children. -- Don't give your child uninflated or broken balloons. These present a choking hazard. -- Avoid marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls that are 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) in diameter or less.
posted by Eugen @ 12/22/2005 10:31:00 AM
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