Important Safety Tips When Purchasing Toys

Toys are not only a source of fun and relaxation. Shopping sites like Amazon offer fun toys that children will really love. Check out Medium for fun toy list for a tween boy. Toys allow children to discover the world around them, develop new skills, and make friends. However, one cannot stress enough the importance of allowing children to play safely. For children under the age of five, toys are in fourth place in the top ten causes of accidents.

Toys can contain substances or small parts that are dangerous to your child. The European Commission, together with toy manufacturers, traders, exporters, and consumer associations, has collected the most important safety tips for the smart purchase and proper use of toys.

Important Safety Tips When Purchasing Toys

  • Never buy toys without a CE label(on the packaging or on the toy itself). Although the CE mark is not intended as a consumer mark, the manufacturer does indicate that the toy complies with EU safety regulations. However, this does not provide a conclusive guarantee for health and safety.
  • Always read the warnings and safety instructions on the packaging in advance. These warnings must be accompanied by a brief indication of the specific hazard on which this precaution is based, which may be included in the instructions for use. For example, chemical toys (eg chemistry boxes, preserving sets, ceramic miniature sets) should be specified as being used under adult supervision.
  • Choose toys that are appropriate for the child’s age and abilities. Take age and safety recommendations seriously. Especially the 0-3 symbol or the statement “not suitable for children under 3 years” should not be ignored.
  • Buy well-finished and sturdy toys.
    • Preferably unbreakable toys for small children.
    • Sharp edges, corners, and points are taboo.
    • Check that the contents cannot be released easily (such as animals that can be easily picked or bitten open, causing plastic balls or pieces of foam rubber to come out).
    • Make sure that the fingers cannot be trapped.
  • Follow the installation and operating instructions carefully. Keep the instructions and information supplied with the toy in a safe place.
  • Supervise while your children play. Make sure all toys are used as intended and appropriate for the child’s age and abilities. Toys with projectiles (guns, catapults…) can cause injuries, for example. Make sure that younger children play with the toys intended for them and not the toys of an older sibling that could be dangerous to them.
  • Make sure that small children play separately from the older ones. For example, the big ones can play at the table, so that the little ones cannot reach it. If there are toys that the youngest should really not touch, let the oldest play with them after the youngest has gone to bed.
  • If young and old play together, then with the youngest’s toys or play along yourself.
    Do not allow young children to play alone with (uninflated) balloons because of the risk of suffocation.
    Do not let children hold toys with loud noises close to the ear.
  • Teach your child (ren) to store their toys to avoid accidents. Do not leave toys lying around on stairs or in busy areas of the house. A toy box must have air openings and must not be able to close automatically.

Parents hold the responsibility for the safety of their children. Therefore, it is important to be meticulous when choosing toys for your children.

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