According to a National Survey, it was found that parents do not follow important toy safety guidelines. Since it was found that up to 41% of parents do not always read the age label on toys before they make a purchase, it is crucial that you are careful when purchasing a toy. Moreover, 60% of parents have a misconception that toy safety correlates with the country it is made in.
When my daughter was six months old, I bought her an adorable toy online. I had no idea that it would prove to be toxic. It seemed cute, and I thought that my daughter would love it. However, after two months, I received a letter in my mail stating that the toy failed to meet European standards as it contained toxic chemicals. I felt horrible for getting a toxic kid’s toy for my bundle of joy. As soon I found out about the toy, I immediately discarded it. However, I had trouble sleeping as my mom’s guilt overtook me.
In fact, the toy did not even look like how it appeared online. If you are a parent, I am sure that you have had a similar experience. It is due to this reason that I have created this post to help you spot a toxic kid’s toy. Before you get a toy that looks cute, you need to take a step back. The following tips will help you weed out a toxic kid’s toy to ensure that your kid remains safe.
1. Avoid Toys That Have Sharp Edges
One of the best ways to spot a toxic kid’s toy is by checking to see if it has any sharp edges. The same goes for sharp points, as they can easily cut through the skin of your child. Toys with sharp edges are not meant for kids but are designed for older children. Therefore, you must never purchase a toy that has sharp edges. It will ensure that you never have to worry about your little one getting one. No matter how smart your baby might be, you simply cannot take the risk and get them a toy that has sharp edges. The worst mistake you can make is getting a toy with sharp points for your little one. Beware of toy storage chests and containers as your little one might accidentally pinch his tiny fingers, suffocate, or get trapped.
2. Choose Sturdy Toys That Do Not Have Moving Parts
Another tip you need to consider when shopping for toys is choosing sturdy ones that do not have moving parts that come off easily. The fact is that kids love to pull and yank toys apart. If you select a toy with loose parts, it is possible for these parts to come off and be swallowed by your child. You have to think outside the box to avoid getting a toxic kid’s toy. If the toy has any moving parts, it would be best to look elsewhere. Toys that have moving parts are suitable for older kids and should be out of reach of toddlers and babies. Always go for sturdy toys even if they cost more, as your child would be unable to break the toy. Get wooden and cloth toys or even plastic toys. However, the plastic should not be fragile as it would otherwise break.
3. Read the Age Label
Next, you need to buy age-appropriate toys by reading the label. The truth is that you should never buy a kid’s toy without reading the label first. It is highly recommended that you only purchase an age-appropriate toy for your little one. If the toy is designed for older kids, you should not get it.
Many parents make the mistake of handing over toys to younger children that their older kids play with. It is something that you need to avoid at all costs as your little one is unlikely to know how to play with the toy. Thus, you simply cannot treat all toys as equal. Some toys are meant for older kids, whereas others are meant for younger kids. Choose wisely by reading the age label. By checking the recommended age on the toy box, you get to protect your child. The ratings serve as a guideline for age appropriateness.
4. Look for Washable Toys
A great way to spot a toxic toy is checking to see if it mentions toxic on it. What you need to do is look for non-toxic or washable toys. The reason why you must get a non-toxic toy is that it is quite common for most toys to end up in a baby’s mouth.
Even if you might not have seen your child place a toy in their mouth, it does not mean that you should get a toxic toy. You must carefully check to determine if the toy is toxic or not before making a purchase. It will ensure that you never get a toy that is harmful to your little one. Moreover, as the toy would be washable, you should clean it regularly to maintain cleanliness and protect your baby from germs.
5. Avoid Small Toys
Small toys must be avoided as small children might mistakenly swallow or choke on the toy. It would help if you never got small toys. It will help reduce choking risk. Generally, it would be best if you did not get toys that are smaller than 1.75 inches in diameter. For better understanding, any object that can easily fit in a toilet paper roll will prove a choking hazard and should never be purchased. Even if there are small toys at home, you need to make sure that they are out of reach. Similarly, you should not get toys that are stuffed with any type of pellets or beans as your baby might suffocate on them.
6. Never Get Toys with Loose Strings or Cords
In addition to the above, you should not get toys that have loose strings, cords, or ribbons as your baby might choke on them. There is also a possibility that they might get tangled around your child’s neck. Similarly, it would help if you steered clear of toys that have some form of string attached to them. You might not realize it, but such toys are extremely harmful, and your baby might try to swallow them.
7. Avoid Toys That Shoot Objects
Next, you should not get a toy that shoots objects. This means that you must stay away from toy guns or any similar toy. Once again, such a toy is likely to have a sharp edge that could hurt your baby. Even the simplest version of the toy could cause harm and result in a choking hazard. Toys that shoot objects are harmful and should never be purchased. It is important that you avoid such toys as they cause significant pain and should never be taken lightly.
8. Do Not Get Toxic Materials
To keep your child safe, you must not get toys that contain toxic materials. Never get old toys as they are very harmful. The thing about older painted metal toys is that they contain lead and are dangerous for infants. You must check the label of the toys to avoid getting toys that have toxic materials.
9. No Batteries, Magnets, Coins, or Marbles
Batteries, magnets, coins, and marbles are very hazardous for small kids and should be avoided. Marbles and coins are risky as they lead to aspiration or choking. Similarly, magnets should not be allowed, and batteries must be safely contained. Both of these are too dangerous if they make their way into the respiratory or intestinal tracts. If your child accidentally swallows a battery or magnet, you will need to seek urgent medical care. It is not something that you can take lightly.
10. Check Toys to Ensure They Are Still Safe
Lastly, you need to look over toys periodically to ensure that they are still safe for your child to use. Toys become old and end up breaking. You need to check all toys for mold, busted seams, rust, broken parts, and sharp edges.
If there are wooden toys, you must see if they have any splinters. Toys that have safety hazards must be discarded or fixed immediately. Otherwise, there would be consequences. Now, you also need to watch out for non-toys as well. These include cleaning supplies, scissors, long strings, forks, lighters, matches, and other household items. Each of these can be hazardous, which is why it is best that you keep them away from your little ones.
Conclusion
After you have finished reading our post, you will know how to spot toxic kids’ toys easily. Each tip that we have mentioned above will help keep your child safe. As a parent, it is essential that you look out for your child’s best interests. Even as your kid grows older, you will need to remain cautious when it comes to toys.