What are the safety issues involving childrens toys?

Answer 1

With the recent spate of playground related injuries, parents are starting to become more aware of what is and isn't safe in an outdoor child toy. The sad thing is, hundreds of thousands of children are still injured each year in toy related incidents. So how can you make sure that your child is safe when he or she plays?

First of all, it's important to remember that it's impossible to keep a child completely safe during play, or any time, for that matter. Some bumps, bruises, scrapes and cuts have to be expected on the rocky road to growing up, and little injuries like that are good for children; they give them an idea of the world around them, and teach them what the laws of physics will and will not allow them to do. But with that said, no child should ever be hurt so badly while playing that he or she had to go to the emergency room. And the best way to keep that from happening is to know what's going on with your child, at all times.

However, it's equally important, especially with very young or very small children, that they play with toys that are suitable for their age unless you're right with them. It's one thing to hold a toddler on a bicycle seat and let him pretend he's riding it; it's quite another to let the same toddler clamber over the bicycle while it's lying on the ground and you're at the other end of the yard. Just as toast always lands butter side up when it falls, a child left on his own will get hurt if he possibly can. Check for small parts or sharp edges on any toy before you allow your child to play with it without you right over them. Mind you, I'm not saying that you should become a second shadow; if you have more than one kid, you won't be able to, anyway. I am saying that you should always be close by when your children are playing, and always make sure that the toys they're playing with won't be able to hurt them if you should turn your back for a few minutes.

Check labels. Most toys will come with warnings that say "3+" or "Not for children under four". Pay attention to those labels. Heed them. But don't just assume that because a label says "For ages three and up" and your child is four that the toy is automatically safe. Check for sharp edges. Check for places where curious little hands might get stuck. (The chain and gears on bicycles are particularly bad about that, for example.) Above all, be aware, and use common sense!

Answer 2

The main one for small children would be if the toy could be a choking hazard. Toys for children over three the reasons could vary like if the toy may come apart and hit them in the eye or sharp edges that could cut a finger to the bone. Make sure that you read all warnings on the boxes and any articles that may come out about particular toys you may think about purchasing for that child.

Answer 3

If the toy has too many small parts,it is not reccommened for children under 3,just because the parts may look intact does not mean the child may not discover a way to take it apart. Children are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. Acourse it is always best to make sure the toy doesn't have any sharp edges.My policy is if the toy is smaller than the width of a small-sized nectarine,it is small enough to fit the width of small child's mouth so I just steer away from those. I have told my children that if they leave anything small on the floor,that is small enough for their little brother to put inside his mouth,into the garbage it goes,better to be safe than to be sorry. Even match-box size cars can pose dangerous,if a person wants to buy their child a toy truck or car for a toddler,it would be best to buy something from Fisher-Price where you have plenty of safe choices to choose from.

Answer 4

have a look here

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/281.html

Consider these additional statistics from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign:

Falls and choking cause most toy-related deaths and injuries in children. Choking alone causes one third of all toy-related deaths - most often from balloons.
Children 4 years old and younger account for almost half of all toy-related injuries and almost all deaths.
Children younger than age 3 are at the greatest risk of choking because they tend to put objects - especially toys - in their mouths.
Riding toys - including bicycles and scooters - cause many injuries in children.
Do you know what toys are safe for your child? Toy manufacturers do follow certain guidelines and label most new toys for specific age groups. But perhaps the most important thing you can do - beyond reading labels and inspecting toys carefully - is to supervise your child during play.

Answer 5

sharp edges, sharp points, lead paint

Answer 6

choking hazards, flammable, toxicity...