Toy Safety
Toy safety is the practice of ensuring that toys especially those made for children are safe. Each year hundreds of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy – related injuries. Choking is a particular risk for kids aged 3 or younger, because they tend to put objects in their mouth. Manufactures follow certain guidelines and label most new toys for specific aged groups. Toddlers under 3 are most at risk of toy related injury. As toddlers become mobile they begin to explore and investigate the world around them. But they are unaware of toys that could cause them harm. Toy safety is something parents should be highly aware of because playing with toys could seriously injure children.
Potential Hazards that could occur while playing with toys
If a child is left alone playing with a toy that is not appropriate for their age you are putting your child under great risk of injury from playing with these toys. Many hazards could occur such as: choking; children can choke on a piece of toy smaller then 35mm. Other hazards that can affect the child are sharp edges of toys, noisy toys can damage hearing, long strings and ribbons can strangle the child, the string should always be less then 30cm long so they cant get the string around their neck. If the toy was built under weak construction the toys seams can come apart and loose pieces can fall out. The eyes and buttons of toys are serious choking hazards. Moving parts of toys can pinch and trap little fingers and that can injure the child.
If a child is left alone playing with a toy that is not appropriate for their age you are putting your child under great risk of injury from playing with these toys. Many hazards could occur such as: choking; children can choke on a piece of toy smaller then 35mm. Other hazards that can affect the child are sharp edges of toys, noisy toys can damage hearing, long strings and ribbons can strangle the child, the string should always be less then 30cm long so they cant get the string around their neck. If the toy was built under weak construction the toys seams can come apart and loose pieces can fall out. The eyes and buttons of toys are serious choking hazards. Moving parts of toys can pinch and trap little fingers and that can injure the child.
General Guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for toys
- 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.
- Steer clear of older toys or even hand – me – downs because these types of toys may not meet the current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they may break down and become hazardous.
- Follow the age recommendations
- Get advice on recommended brands and toys
- Read the labels and instructions
- Avoid explosive toys
- Inspect the toys
- Return faulty toys to retailers
- Avoid toys with batteries and magnets
- 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.
- Steer clear of older toys or even hand – me – downs because these types of toys may not meet the current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they may break down and become hazardous.
- Follow the age recommendations
- Get advice on recommended brands and toys
- Read the labels and instructions
- Avoid explosive toys
- Inspect the toys
- Return faulty toys to retailers
- Avoid toys with batteries and magnets
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/8/9/27895693/2325687_orig.jpg)
Toy Maintenance
Check toys regularly to ensure they are still safe
Wooden toys should remain smooth
Get rid of any toys that look unsafe
Make sure battery operated toys are in good condition. As old batteries can leak and cause corrosive burns. Also if batteries are swallowed they can cause internal chemical burns and poisoning
Tips for Storing Toys
- Only let children have free access to toys that do not require supervision
- Ensure the child is old enough to use the toys
- Ensure that older children’s toys are kept out of reach of younger children
- If using a toy box to store toys, makes sure that a child can not get trapped inside. Try to buy one without a lid
- Do not place toys on the shelf, so they child doesn’t attempt to reach up onto the shelf
Young children are also at greater risk since they often insert plastic objects into their mouths. Baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings, and toys are often made of (BPA). These toxic ingredients in plastics are of particular concern, as research increasingly shows that these chemicals mimic or suppress hormones and disrupt normal development and growth.
Tips for using plastic
- Purchase baby bottles and sipply cups BPA free
- Never heat plastic baby bottles
- Use PVC – Free plastic wrap
- Eat Fresh produce – Minimise the use of canned foods and canned drinks as many are lined with BPA
- Discard all plastic food containers with scratches
Statistics
- Approximately 217,000 children are treated at hospital emergency rooms for toy related injuries
- Most toy related injuries do not require hospitalization however in 2005 20 children died due to toy related injuries
- Nearly 50% of all toy related injuries occur to the head and face with the mouth, eyes and ear being most affected
- Every year the cost of emergency room treatment for children under the age of 4 that have suffered toy related injuries is more than $385 million dollars.
Check toys regularly to ensure they are still safe
Wooden toys should remain smooth
Get rid of any toys that look unsafe
Make sure battery operated toys are in good condition. As old batteries can leak and cause corrosive burns. Also if batteries are swallowed they can cause internal chemical burns and poisoning
Tips for Storing Toys
- Only let children have free access to toys that do not require supervision
- Ensure the child is old enough to use the toys
- Ensure that older children’s toys are kept out of reach of younger children
- If using a toy box to store toys, makes sure that a child can not get trapped inside. Try to buy one without a lid
- Do not place toys on the shelf, so they child doesn’t attempt to reach up onto the shelf
Young children are also at greater risk since they often insert plastic objects into their mouths. Baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings, and toys are often made of (BPA). These toxic ingredients in plastics are of particular concern, as research increasingly shows that these chemicals mimic or suppress hormones and disrupt normal development and growth.
Tips for using plastic
- Purchase baby bottles and sipply cups BPA free
- Never heat plastic baby bottles
- Use PVC – Free plastic wrap
- Eat Fresh produce – Minimise the use of canned foods and canned drinks as many are lined with BPA
- Discard all plastic food containers with scratches
Statistics
- Approximately 217,000 children are treated at hospital emergency rooms for toy related injuries
- Most toy related injuries do not require hospitalization however in 2005 20 children died due to toy related injuries
- Nearly 50% of all toy related injuries occur to the head and face with the mouth, eyes and ear being most affected
- Every year the cost of emergency room treatment for children under the age of 4 that have suffered toy related injuries is more than $385 million dollars.
Helplines
Kid-safe
Godfrey House,
Princess Margaret Hospital,
Thomas Street
(near Roberts Rd corner)
Subiaco WA 6008
Phone:(08) 9340 8509
Country Callers:1800 802 244
Fax:(08) 9340 8041
Email:[email protected]
Ambulance 000
Police 000
Kid-safe
Godfrey House,
Princess Margaret Hospital,
Thomas Street
(near Roberts Rd corner)
Subiaco WA 6008
Phone:(08) 9340 8509
Country Callers:1800 802 244
Fax:(08) 9340 8041
Email:[email protected]
Ambulance 000
Police 000