Ensuring children have safe toys is a concern that many parents have. They are right to be concerned as dangerous toys can and have caused serious harm to lots of children, although thankfully with improving toy regulations, instances are on the decrease. However, parents still need to be careful and below we highlight some of the important things to look out for to ensure toys are safe.
Sharp edges. Many toys that you might not consider to be a risk can have sharp edges that are potentially harmful. Children can often be rough with toys and run around with them, and all it takes is a fall or a snatching motion to cause a cut or skin-pierce.
Small parts. This is probably the most well known hazard of childrens toys. As children invariably love to put things in their mouth, they can very easily swallow small parts and choke on them. Also, toys that might not have small parts, but are fragile and can break up are just as dangerous to small children.
Chemicals. Whether it is dangerous chemicals in plastics, harmful fluids in toys, or simply toxins in the paint that they are decorated with, kids can be seriously harmed by inconsiderate materials. Thankfully most toys are tested thouroughly for dangerous chemicals, but some will always slip though the net.
Mechanical Hazards. Many toys appear perfectly safe, but are made potentially dangerous by their ill-though out functioning parts. Toys that work using elastic or springs can sometimes harm kids eyes if they are poor quality and break for example. Another example is toys that have hinges where kids can trap their fingers or toes.
All toys and Christmas gifts should comply with the health and safety regulations of their respective countries, so next time youre buying gifts for her or him look out for the endorsement logos on the toys label first.