Tricks and Tips for Maintaining Safe Toys

Articles on Toys | Topics: toys, toy

by Asa Pitts

As you read this article the first thing that may come to mind is to throw away broken toys and that is a good plan of action because children can definitely get hurt on the remaining toy that may now have sharp edges or have become a possible choking hazard. Let us have a look at what preventative measures are available in keeping toys safe.

Sanding wooden toys that may have become rough is an option instead of throwing them out, which will help prevent splinters, which is important if you have wooden toys for a little one who may be teething. If you are the creative type who makes wooden toys and paint those bright fun colors, remember to purchase new paints that do not have lead and are safe if the child puts the toy in their mouth. Examine outside toys periodically for broken parts, rust, or other hazards.

If you use a toy chest or toy box always check to make sure the lid has a safety the keeps it from falling down. We do not want the lid to fall down on our children or having the child climbing inside the toy box or chest and the lid falling down and then they are stuck inside. Another thing to consider when purchasing or making a toy box or toy chest is to have ventilation holes just in case you have a child who thinks you bought this for them to climb in and the toys are supposed to be on the floor! The toy box or chest should not have any sharp edges or corners. Do not use indoor toy boxes or chests outdoors as the elements can damage and create mold or other hazards.

Sometimes toys come with all kinds of sights and sounds. What you should take notice of is the volume that comes with these toys. Sometimes they can be adjusted but other times they cannot and this could damage the hearing of young children.

Push and pull toys could prove a hazard if not monitored closely. They are cute but if the toy has a long string or cord to pull with the child could easily wrap it around their neck or someone else's. If the toy comes, with a cord, that automatically winds up you should check to see that the mechanism is not broken and if it is you should discard the toy or you could cut the cord and the child could play with it by pushing it manually.

Something to remember about stuffed toys that talk or make sounds is that they have a battery or some kind of electrical wires. Small children often want to bring their favorite toys with them into the bath and as attentive, as we are as parents, they often find their way into the water. This damages the toy and can hazardous to the child.

If you have both older children and younger children it is important keep the older children's toys out of the reach of the younger ones. We all know that the younger the child the more goes into the mouth whether it is designed to do so or not. If little hands find their way to their older siblings toys they could choke or even put the small parts into their ears or nose.

Electric toys can prove quite hazardous if in the wrong hands and sometimes even in the right hands. You should check that there are no exposed wires. Never let your child play with electrical toys in the water!

Everyone is responsible for protecting children from toys that can pose a hazard. Here are a few tips to follow with regard to toys and safety:

аQuote of the Day

...I’m not money hungry.... People who are rich want to be richer, but what’s the difference? You can’t take it with you. The toys get different, that’s all. The rich guys buy a football team, the poor guys buy a football. It’s all relative.

—Martina Navratilova (b. 1956)

Х Follow the manufacturer's age recommendations

Х Dispose of plastics that toys come in to prevent possible suffocation

Х Inspect toys for sharp edges or broken parts on a regular basis

Х Toys that are bought for older children need to be kept separate from younger children

The safety labels that are on toys do not refer to the developmental age of the child but rather the actual age of the child. Many parents think that their child is developmentally old enough to play with older toys. This can be quite hazardous to your child.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Tricks and Tips for Maintaining Safe Toys" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by ToysGiftsPresents.com.

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