Parentpedia

What Experts Say

Baby toys inspire a million "awww's," make great gifts, and help to engage your child. But they also help your baby learn about the world around her. Translation? Those stacking rings will be in your baby's fist, then her mouth. And your toddler?s favorite stuffed rabbit? She falls asleep snuggling it right up to her chin. Clearly, it's essential that any toy your child comes in contact with must be safe.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the gatekeeper of standards for U.S. toys. All toys made in or imported to the United States after 1995 must comply with their safety requirements, and there's good reason for this: The CPSC reports that in 2005, toy-related injuries sent almost 73,000 children under age 5 to the emergency room.

Regulations include bans on lead paint, sharp edges, glass, and sharp points on toys for young children; the sale of toys with small, chokeable parts to babies and toddlers; choking-hazard warnings on these same toys for young children; loud noise warnings; and more. In addition to these federal regulations, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets voluntary industry standards for toy safety, reached by consensus.

Though they agree that most toys are safe, watchdog group U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Groups) believes more action needs to be taken to protect young children from hazardous toys. In 2006, their 21st annual safety survey found toys on the market that present choking and strangulation hazards to young children. It also cited dangers from swallowing magnetic toys and lead in children's jewelry. The ASTM International Committee on Consumer Products has addressed this by revising some of their safety specifications for toys in the spring of 2007.

How to Check Toys for Safety

• Choose toys that match your child's age, interest, and developmental level.
• Experts agree that children under age 3 should not have access to small toys or parts less than 1 1/4 inches diameter or 2 1/4 inches long. Use a choke tube to make sure small items pass this test. Balls and other cylindrically shaped toys should be bigger than 1 3/4 inches in diameter. (You can test these by dropping them through a cardboard toilet-paper tube that measures 1 3/4 inches across the opening: if the item fits through, it's a choking hazard and should be removed.)
• Make sure that small parts like eyes, noses, and buttons on stuffed animals and dolls are securely attached.
• Don't give young children toys that need to be plugged in.
• Read the directions on toy packaging before your child plays with it. Check for warnings or notes on safety and make sure the toy is appropriate for your child's age. (Remember that plastic packaging, string, and ribbons can be dangerous, too.)
• Toys with strings, cords, or ribbons can cause accidental strangling if looped around a baby's neck. Experts give varying advice on what length of cord is safe. Some say no more than 6 inches, while others recommend a maximum of 12 inches.
• Balloons may be fun, but they're also dangerous, particularly for children under age 8. A popped or uninflated balloon can cause choking or suffocation.
• Keep in mind that a toy that's safe for your child right now may not be anymore as she gets stronger and more active. Crib mobiles, for example, should be removed when your baby can push herself onto her hands and knees.
• If you have older children, keep their toys with small parts (puzzles, board games, building sets, and more) off-limits for younger siblings.
• Remember that used toys and hand-me-downs should be carefully checked before they're given to a child.

Make Sure Those Toys Stay Safe

• Frequent play can wear out or damage toys, creating hazards such as splinters or small, loose parts, so make it part of your routine to check them. Remove or fix broken toys right away.
• Teach your child to put toys away when playtime is over. Consider using open shelving instead of toy boxes for storage, since toy box lids can fall and injure or trap a child inside.
• Check the CPSC's website for the most recent toy recalls.