Choosing Kid Safe toys

The Holidays are approaching and our thoughts turn to gifts for our loved ones. Do you have a toddler you’re shopping for? Make sure you are choosing safe toys for your child. You should always make sure you are choosing toys that are for their age and skill ability. It is frustrating for a two year old to try to play a game meant for a six year old. Some toys may prove to be a safety hazard if it contains small parts. Small parts fit easily into a toddler’s mouth and could be a choking hazard. Small children and infants seem to automatically put items in their mouths.

Electric toys with heating elements are to be bought for children over eight years of age. Don’t be tempted to buy these because they’re a bargain and would be fun to play with. When children are playing unsupervised any toy with electrical heating elements are unsafe and can be hazardous.

Read labels before buying. Labels give age and safety recommendations to guide you in which age group the toy is suitable for. Also, look at the instructions. If you can’t understand them, then probably your child won’t be able to understand them either. Avoid another safety hazard for your tot by immediately throwing away all plastic wrappings from the toys. These are a suffocation hazard.

Watch for those twisty ties that keep toys secure in their packages. They may keep them looking nice in the store but are a hazard as they are taken off the toy. They often have a small plastic backing between the cardboard and the tie. Even if your toddler’s toys don’t have these, an older sibling might receive a toy with them. They need to be properly discarded to avoid any danger to a younger child.

Do your research and buy the toys that are suitable to the age of your child.