Playing safe with Toys
December 3, 2008
Toys are the best friends kids indulge with. The market is flooded with innovative tots that define imagination. Everyone’s favorite superhero is turned into a plastic replica to play with. But the question that arises here is; are these toys safe? When kids are so dependent on them, to turn their fantasy into reality, how much protection do these toys offer them?
When we choose toys to give as gifts or buy them for our own, it is always a good idea to check for age recommendation. Even the government has laws banning the sale of those toys that do not pass federal safety standards on small parts, low levels of lead in paint, flammability limits, and hazardous chemicals. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a lot of information for parents like safety tips not only on toys but also on baby cribs and play yards, bicycles, pools, playgrounds and playpens. A visit at their Web site, www.cpsc.gov, is enlightening.
It is important to keep certain issues in mind when you are out buying toys, like toys should not have sharp surfaces or points. Toys for kids fewer than three years of age must not contain small parts or produce small parts when they break, like rattles with small balls in them. Make sure toys must not have pinching parts or wires that could poke through. There is special threat in respect to stuffed toys.
Stuffed toys or dolls should have no ribbons, strings, cords, or necklaces that can be wrapped around a child’s neck. Any toy that can fit through a toilet paper tube is a choking and ingestion hazard. Take care of projectile toys like darts and slingshots. They are also a health hazard for older children.
Throw out toy packaging, especially plastic bags, immediately. When assembling the toys, follow the instructions carefully. Check your child’s toys regularly, and repair or discard worn or damaged items. For ride-on toys and bicycles, make sure the product is appropriate for the child’s age, size, and ability level.
Equip them with proper safety elements such as helmets for riding a bike, in-line skating, or skateboarding, also consider additional safety gear such as elbow and kneepads, gloves, and wrist guards, which can help minimize injuries when kids fall. Many video games contain violence, explicit graphics, and offensive language. When buying a game, check the rating on the package to make sure it’s appropriate for your child.
Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!