Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Did you know? Every year, thousands of children age 14 and under suffer serious eye injuries, including blindness, from toys

01 | Holiday Season

The holiday season is quickly approaching and it is often easy to forget how fast accidents can happen. There were approximately 250,000 toy-related injuries in 2017, half of which were injuries to the head. When purchasing gifts this year, be mindful of the safety and age range of the toys.  Please use this as a guideline for choosing safe toys during this holiday season. 

02 | Toy Selection Guidelines

Before purchasing a toy, it is essential to read all warning labels and instructions on the box. While inspecting a toy, be sure to avoid:

• Toys that shoot or have flying parts
• Toys that break or pull apart easily
• Toys with sharp, protruding parts
• Toys with ropes or cords
• Toys with heating elements
• Art materials unless labeled “non-toxic”

 Other protective measures that can be taken are:

• Be aware of toy recalls
• Look for toys labeled ATSM, which means that they have been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials
• Sport equipment gifts should be accompanied with protective gear
• Toys with fabric should be flame resistant or flame retardant
• Inspect the lenses and frames of sunglasses
   

03 | Choosing Age Appropriate Toys

Children should be given toys that they can master and that are right for their stage of development and emerging abilities. The age level of a toy will be labeled and is determined by safety factors. Guidelines are published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to help with your buying decisions.  

Although every child is unique and develops in their own time, it is important to continuously stimulate their mind and senses. You should be aware of your child’s temperament, habits and behaviors when purchasing a new toy.  

04 | Keep Toys Safe at Home

After purchasing toys, be sure to supervise kids as they play. Toys should be checked regularly to ensure that they are not broken or unusable. If so, they should be repaired or thrown out immediately. Additionally, toys should be kept clean by following the manufacturer’s directions. Following these guidelines promotes a safe holiday season that avoids a visit to the emergency room or doctor.

Learn More

For more information about toy safety guidelines or to report an unsafe toy, click here.

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References

https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/apha-calendar/2019/safe-toys-and-gifts-month-2019 

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/safe-toys.html