The holidays are the time of year for getting together with friends and family, and of course exchanging warm wishes and gifts. While it’s very generous of Great-Aunt Millie to arrive laden with gifts for your little ones, she’s not always up to date on the latest toy safety standards! Different types of gifts are only appropriate for certain ages, and some old classics that were just fine 50 years ago may not be considered safe for small children today. Just like you wouldn’t let your children eat their Halloween candy before you take a look, it’s important to inspect your children’s new (or new to you) toys for safety standards before they are played with.
Here are some toy facts to keep in mind this holiday season.
- Children aged 3 and under are at risk for choking on small objects – check for small accessories to the toy or any parts that could easily become detached and swallowed.
- Any toy made with fabric should be marked anti-flammable and should be washable.
- Toys including batteries should have securely closed battery ports (requiring a screwdriver to open if for small children.)
- Arts and craft materials should be non-toxic.
- Any paint used on toys should be lead-free.
- Age suggestions on toys aren’t necessarily based on intelligence or maturity; age ranges are often based on toy safety requirements.
- And of course, when it comes to stuffed toys: seams must be secure with no loose stuffing exposed; eyes and nose must be secure and fabric must be washable.
At Embroider Buddy® we pride ourselves on ensuring our toys adhere to safety standards.
If your family likes to exchange hand me downs this time of year, keep in mind that toy safety standards are being updated consistently and recalls are issued every year, so be judicious when accepting the oldies!
Do you have any questions about toy safety?
Below are links to further toy safety resources for Canada and the U.S.
For more information:
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Recent Recalls