Precautions to Be Considered When Buying Toys for Children…..
Buying toys for children,buying and Storing toys safely,toy safety and health
You are the best judge of what your child needs at what age, for you
have been observing his/her habits, behavior and temperament all the way
through! But if you feel that you would still like some guidance, the
CPSC Guidelines regarding toys should be able to help you. They suggest
that playthings be selected according to safety factors—not based on maturity
or intelligence.
Now, what precautions
will you bear in mind when getting toys for an infant or a toddler or
a preschooler?
(1) You are well aware that very young children are fond of stuffing
everything into their mouth—ensure that teethers and toys and rattles
are larger than their mouths! You do not want compressible toys that can
get stuck in your child’s mouth or throat, choking off precious air!
(2) If you go in for toys
with dangling strings and cords, you are risking strangulation by accident.
(3) Plastic toys can break easily, leaving jagged edges that can prove
dangerous. Your child has very tender skin at this age!
(4) Things like coins, balls, and marbles are a big no-no at this age.
Even if there are games that involve balls measuring 1.75 inches or 4.4
centimeters in diameter, they are not meant for your child. You are not
interested in choking him or her!
(5) In fact, for added precautions, toy manufacturers have come up with
the small-parts tester or choke tube. The diameter is similar to that
of a child (below three years)’s wind pipe. Any object that fits into
this tube snugly should be considered unsafe for your child; his plaything
has every chance of getting lodged in his throat.
(6) Your child will love anything that can be pulled or twisted. If you
get toys that have securely-attached buttons, eyes, noses, and other detachable
parts—your job is done, and your young one is happy!
Now, let us move on to grade-schoolers—
(1) Your child would adore playing with darts and arrows. Ensure that
their tips are soft or at least have suction cups attached at the end.
If the points are hard, they can cause injuries.
(2) If there are nets involved, check out that they are well constructed.
It should be easy to attach them to the rims. Otherwise, strangulation
is a hazard.
(3) Are guns a favorite? Educate your child about them—they should never
be aimed at people; so also with arrows or darts. Again, it would be better
if the guns are brightly-colored—no one can mistake them for real guns
then.
(4) Never mind if your child throws tantrums, keep away pellet rifles
and BB guns! They are safer in the hands of children aged over 16.
(5) The CPSC or Snell Certification (ensuring that these playthings meet
safety standards) should be visible on the labels of toys like scooters,
inline skates, bicycles and skateboards. Do not allow your child to go
out without a helmet, as well as hand, wrist and shin guards. Many youngsters
die from needless accidents every year.
(6) If you are presenting electric toys to your child, they should meet
the safety guidelines set by Underwriters Laboratories. Look for the UL
label on them.
So, happy shopping then!
