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Who is responsible for ensuring safe toys?
Toys are a big part of childhood. We rarely expect a child's toys to cause injury. But there are risks and they are real. About 72,000 children younger than 5, went to hospital emergency rooms in 2002 for toy-related injuries, according to the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups. Thirteen children died from toy related injuries in 2002. Nearly 80 percent were younger than 15.
In 2000, 160 children ages 14 and younger died from an obstruction of the respiratory tract due to inhaled or ingested foreign bodies. Of these, 40 percent were caused by food items and 60 percent by nonfood objects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the not-to-distant past, little was done to ensure that toys were safe. All of that changed in 1994 when Congress passed The Child Safety Protection Act (CSPA). This law required toy manufacturers to place warning labels on toys containing small parts, including balls, marbles and other choking hazards. The label must state that the toy is not intended for use by children younger than 3. Also, the CSPA increased the size of small balls permitted in toys because of the choking hazard associated with round objects.
Even though the CPSC oversees toy safety, parents and other adults must take responsibility for making sure that their children's toys are safe. Each year, despite the enactment of the CSPA, several toys that have already hit the market are recalled after children are injured while playing with them.
Guidelines for selecting safe toys
The most important consideration when selecting toys is the child's age and developmental level. Too often, overzealous parents and friends select toys that are inappropriate for a child's age and skill level. Most manufacturers include a recommendation for the age level for which the toy is appropriate. (This recommendation usually appears on the outside corner of the toy). A toy that is too advanced probably will be misused, and the likelihood of injury will increase.
Choking remains the leading cause of toy deaths. Most often, those deaths are caused by ingested balloons, balls and small toy parts. Carefully inspect a toy before purchasing it. All toy parts should be larger than a child's mouth, so that no part of it can be accidentally swallowed. Some retailers sell a cylindrical tube that serves as a reference when selecting toys. If a piece of the toy can fit through the tube, it also could fit into a child's mouth.
Inspect toys for quality construction and design before buying them. Check to see that small parts on stuffed animals or soft toys are securely fastened. Avoid toys with sharp or pointed edges.
Read the instructions for use before purchasing toys. Make sure that they are clear and will be understood by the child. Too often, children see toys advertised on television that look simple to set up and play, but, in reality, require more skill than the child possesses.
Discard all plastic wrappers that accompany toys. They pose a risk for suffocation if children place them over their heads.
Consider the noise level of the toy. Some toys such as caps and guns can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires that the following label be placed on boxes of caps producing noise higher than a certain decibel: "Warning - Do not fire closer than 1 foot to the ear. Do not use indoors."
Toys that shoot small objects into the air pose a risk for eye injury. Too often, children place objects not intended for firing into dart guns and, thus, create weapons capable of inflicting harm.
When shopping for infants or very young children, do not select any toys with long strings or cords attached. The cord or string can become wrapped around a small child's neck and cause strangulation. Don't ever hang toys over a crib or playpen using ribbon or rope because an infant easily can become entangled in them.
Toy boxes can be dangerous if a child falls inside and suddenly becomes trapped. Only purchase a toy box that has a lid that will stay open in any position. For added safety, look for a toy box that has ventilation holes for fresh air. Never use pieces of furniture not intended for use as a toy box (chests, cedar boxes or other cabinets) for storing toys, particularly if a small child could easily climb inside and get trapped.
Be cautious when selecting electric toys. Toys with heating elements can result in burns in younger children, and these toys are not recommended for children younger than 8. Older children also require adult supervision when using many electrical toys.
Suggestions for age-appropriate toys
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following list of toys for children of specific age groups. This can be used as a guideline when choosing toys for children.
Newborn to 1 year
Choose toys that will appeal to a baby's sight, hearing and touch. Examples include:
Large blocks
Rattles
Pots and pans
Soft, washable animals, dolls or balls
Bright, moveable objects that are out of the infant's reach
Busy boards
Floating bath toys
Squeeze toys
1 to 2 years old
Children of this age are quite curious. Toys for this age group should be safe and able to withstand a toddler's manipulation. Examples include:
Cloth or plastic books with large pictures
Kiddy cars
Musical tops
Nesting blocks
Push-and-pull toys (without long cords)
Stacking toys
Toy telephones
2 to 5 years old
Children this age like toys that imitate the activities of parents and older siblings. Examples include:
Books (short stories or action stories)
Blackboard and chalk
Building blocks
Crayons, non-toxic paints, clay
Hammer and bench
Housekeeping toys
Tape recorders
Puzzles with large pieces
Dress-up clothes
Transportation toys (tricycles, cars and wagons)
Outdoor toys (sandbox, slides, swings and playhouse)
5 to 9 years old
Children this age enjoy toys that promote skill development and creativity. Examples include:
Sewing kits with blunt scissors
Card games
Doctor and nurse kits
Hand puppets
Balls
Bicycles
Crafts
Paper dolls
Jump ropes
Roller skates
Sports equipment
Table-top games
10 to 14 years old
Children this age often have hobbies and they enjoy toys with scientific activities. Examples include:
Computer games
Sewing, needlework, knitting
Microscopes, telescopes
Sports equipment (basketball and soccer nets)
Table-top and board games
Hobby collections (dolls, model cars, miniatures)
What should I do if my child is injured by a toy, and how can I find out which toys have been recalled?
If you believe that a toy is hazardous or if your child has been injured by a toy, write to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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