Kids Safety Products
Toy safety; Identifying Hazards and Keeping Kids Safe
Author: Kristen Banzhaf
Toy safety is a top priority for parents, caregivers and our company. In this article we will discuss toy safety, identifying potential hazards in toys and provide tips for selecting the right toys for your child. Toys are an important part of play time and development. Knowing which toys are safe for your child will keep them healthy and happy.
Below is information to help parents and caregivers choose appropriate and safe toys.
Age Appropriate
Check each label for the age recommendation of the toy. Much of the risk associated with children’s toys is age-dependent. Toys with accurate and appropriate age recommendations should always be selected. Small children have a tendency to put things in their mouth. Toys that contain small parts are a serious chocking hazard and should not be selected. Do not select toys meant for older children thinking that it will help your child to be more advanced. Not only can this lead to hazards such as choking, but it also can frustrate your child and foster negativity.
Always supervise playtime. This is especially critical for small children and children who have older siblings. Make sure that younger children are playing with the toys intended for them and not the toys of an older sibling which could be hazardous for them.
Safe, non-toxic
- Become familiar with who you purchase from and choose companies that share your beliefs on safe toys.
Look for reputable toy manufacturers that you can trust. Our manufactures comply with government safety regulations and undergo rigorous testing to ensure toy safety. Our wooden toys have been the recipients of the most prestigious toy awards and our manufacturers share our vigilance for safety. Manufacturers such as: Melissa and Doug, Plan Toys, Hape, and Imagiplay.
Avoid cheap toys that are not constructed well and easily breakable. It goes without saying that these kinds of products can lead to hazards such as chocking and injury, but cheap metals are also very likely to contain lead.
Use as Intended
Teach children to use their toys in the way they were intended. Being overly aggressive and misusing a toy can lead to hazards and breakage.
Use toys that are electric, or become hot only with adult supervision to avoid burns and electric shock. Age appropriate recommendations should especially be adhered to for these kinds of products.
Toy Maintenance
Inspecting your children’s toys regularly is a great way to keep them safe. When examining each toy look for loose, or broken parts. Discard toys with sharp edges, chipping paint or other possible dangers. Consider replacing toys that cannot be fixed with new, safer products.
Toys that are well loved should be cleaned often. Here are some ways to ensure germ-free toys
- Wash toys in hot, soapy water, rinse and dry
- Colorfast toys can be soaked in a bleach solution of ¾ cup of household bleach in 1 gallon of water.
- Lysol, or other disinfectant sprays can be used for daily maintenance.
Keeping an uncluttered play area is another great way to eliminate hazards and injury. Put some toys away and then rotate them in a few months. Not only will your play room be clean, but your child will think its Christmas all over again.
Selecting safe toys and identifying potential hazards is a great way to keep our kids safe. It is also important to not be afraid to let kids play. Don’t stop your child from playing with toys. Keep the above recommendations in the forefront of your mind and you will select toys that are safe and fun. According to Dr. Toy “Children need toys to learn, play, and develop mentally, socially and physically. Toys are a means for developing a child’s “PQ” or “Play Quotient,” which is intelligent and responsible play that engages, educates, creates and is overall fun.” Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. 2007 Aug 17(Timely Toy Safety Tips from Dr. Toy-How to Protect your Child from Harm.)
If you are every concerned about a toy, or would like more information you can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
QUESTION:
Tell me your funny story about child’s safety products?
I am so sick of seeing all the “must have safety products for babies and kids”. I’ll start- stupid helmets for healthy kids learning to walk, and ridiculous knee pads for babies learning to crawl!!!
I am a mother- now I’m wondering what kind of lawsuits lead to these products? It’s overwhelming walking through the “safety aisle” at BabiesRus!-
ANSWER:
What’s your point….Do you have kids then it’s nothing stupid about putting those inquires out thereBack years ago they didn’t have all these green lights and that’s when every body file to suit in court,so That’s a reason for this
Hope this helps!!
-
-
QUESTION:
The lion mark and health and safety for kids?
Can anybody give me any information on the lion mark or health and safety for childrens products and clothes. Any information welcomed!thanks xxx
-
ANSWER:
I am aware of the “lion mark” in the UK in connection with toys and other children’s goods (e.g., clothing, highchairs, playpens, gates and barriers) and in connection with eggs.In connection with safety and *toys*, the “Lion Mark” was developed in 1988 by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) as a symbol of toy safety and quality for the consumer.
In order to expand the “Lion Mark” to more retailers, the British Association of Toy Retailers joined with the British Toy and Hobby Association to develop the Lion Mark for use by retailers. By displaying this sign the retailer is saying that all products in the shop meet a certain standard of safety.
This symbol displayed in the shop, in catalogues and in retailer advertising, indicates that the retailer has agreed to the Code of Practice and as such, is prepared to make strenuous efforts not only to offer safe toys and children’s products (e.g., safety of *children’s clothing*, *highchairs*; *mattresses for children’s cots and prams*) for sale, but to ensure management and staff are briefed on toy safety matters such as age warnings and similar.
In connection with safety in the production of *eggs*, the “Lion Quality mark” on egg shells and egg boxes means that the eggs have been produced to the highest standards of food safety. The Lion Quality Code of Practice was launched in 1998 and includes compulsory vaccination against Salmonella Enteritidis of all pullets destined for Lion egg-producing flocks, independent auditing, improved traceability of eggs and a “best-before” date stamped on the shell and pack, as well as on-farm and packing station hygiene controls.
-
-
QUESTION:
Here is another excuse for moms not to let kids not to watch TV.Last year,US Consumer Product Safety Commisson
that thousands of US children visit to emegrecy room with injuries from TVs that fall from stands who have unsturdy bases.It is a poll for moms and dads:If the government is willing to take firearms and firecrackers for free and no questions asked like Chespeake,VA.Well, they are putting up wobbly,ole TV stands for a secure
table.Why can’t we do that and why?-
ANSWER:
That’s lame. You can get hurt off of ANYTHING if you’re careless like that. It doesn’t have to be a TV. It could easily have been a stack of books, a lamp, etc.
-
-
QUESTION:
Looking for reviews of the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper (kids safety stool for kitchen)?
If anyone owns/uses “the Kitchen Helper” by Guidecraft, I would love to hear any customer reviews on this childern’s safety stool (which allows kids to safely be counter height in the kitchen and participate in cooking, etc) I’m trying to compare it to the “Learning Tower” (another competeing product). Thanks a lot!-
ANSWER:
I have never seen anything like these they look great. I love thumbing through Y/A because I am always seeing products that I have never heard of before. Sorry I am not much of a help but hopefully someone can help you. I did look for some reviews for you but haven’t found any. Personally I think the Kitchen Helper is cuter but I don’t know which one would be a better buy as far as quality, etc. I will definitely be looking into these in the future because I think they are a great idea and would be helpful with my son. Good luck.
-
-
QUESTION:
Why do parents think they need a 5-point harness on their stroller? Were so many babies jumping out?
I’m writing a book about safety products for kids and this is one I just don’t understand. A lap belt seems to be all the protection young ‘uns need.-
ANSWER:
My sons are fascinated by wheels and with out the 5-point they would be trying to stick their fingers into the wheels of the stroller. Also when they nap in the stroller it helps them stay in the seat better. Because I have a double it helps keep fingers out of the other kids hair, ears, and just plain off the other kid’s head. It also makes it harder to yank the kid out by a kidnapper. Safety first in my book.
-
-
QUESTION:
How do those in USA feel about the new Consumer Safety Protection Improvement Act Relating to kids under 12?
Any motorcycle or motorcycle product for children ages 12 and under has to pass a test to determine that its lead content be less than 600 particles per million. Motorcycle engine and cables all contain some lead. motorcycle dealerships have been pulling any minicycles or minicycle parts meant for children under the age of 12 from their showroom floors and stocking shelves.
How do those with 12 year old or under kids who race feel about this and what do those involved intend to do.-
ANSWER:
Very bad new indeed.Sorry for the late reply, I have only got back to my slavedriver ( PC ) today!
I think that the suits who have changed the rules have not thought this through at all.
Yes. I can see the safety angles, but these bikes / quads etc have been built this way since day one.
The impact that it make on smaller retailers is going to be massive. Like you say, a bike in a box rather then the showroom is never going to sell. Spares are in the same boat as well. I read that if a new or used part is sold for one of these bikes, then that comes under the same laws.
This is bad for the dealers and parts retailers NOW, but can you imagine what the result will be in the sports market in say another 6 years time when there are no up and coming riders in the world of Sport.
Im sure the industry is under enough pressure from the ” Global Credit Crunch ” already, with any other sales drops thrown at them.
-
-
QUESTION:
How secure a loft bunk bed will be in regards of safety and quality? Will it break while my kids sleeping?
I have seen the bunk loft beds and the legs that hols the bed looks very thing. I understand that wear and tear happends to any product, but in a bed specailly bunks am expecting 100% safety in regards of the quality and safety.-
ANSWER:
If you are buying a commercially made bunk bed from a department store or similar, then the bed itself will probably be just fine in terms of strength to hold a normal kid. It might even say in the manufacturer’s literature how much it will hold.If you need to assemble it yourself at home, then make sure that all of the screws, nuts and bolts are tight. Follow directions. Double-check everything.
Probably more important is routine inspection to be sure that it stays structurally sound. Kids will tend to jump on, in and over just about anything, tending to destroy even the best built furniture. You may need to adjust and tighten it periodically.
I grew up with a bunk bed. There was more danger from falling out (or being thrown out) then then there was from the bed falling apart.
-
-
QUESTION:
Should American Companies NOT Be Allowed to Produce Toys for Our Kids?
Over 98% of the toys that were recently recalled were defective because American employees of Mattel designed products that are potentially deadly to our kids. The Americans at Mattel included in the design the use of magnets that obviously pose choking hazards to young children.Why do politicians blame China when Americans were at fault for 98% of the toys that were recently recalled?
Shouldn’t the world avoid American toys unless Americans can assure the safety of kids?
Will Hillary and the Dems bash China when they should scold Americans?
World Peace, Ford and GM have recalled about 10 million cars in the past 2 decades. Gosh, who would take the risk of buying American products until they clean up their history failures. That’s just too dangerous. Right?
World Peace, Are you proud of your words?Mattel says that the magnets could rip the insides of a kid. Mattel has said they made a mistake to use such magnets and will NEVER use the magnets again in kids toys. They will NOT use the magnets even if as you try to say they are fastened correctly. Please study more and respond if you wish.
Illinois Attorney General says Mattel and no American company should have ever used these magnets.“”If rare-earth magnets are dangerous, it doesn’t matter who is manufacturing them,” Madigan said. “They shouldn’t be in the hands of children because of the serious injury and the possible death they can cause.”
Mattel recalled the toys made before they learned to design a better, safer product. They admit American failure.“Mattel said its Tuesday recall related to magnets applied to toys made from 2002 to January 2007, when it designed a better system for securing the magnets in its toys”
-
ANSWER:
Heathen,Try using facts.
98% of the toys that were recalled were the ones with magnets.
2% had lead paint.
Those were 2 different kinds of toys.
Mattel DESIGNED those toys with magnets. They REFUSE to use those magnets anymore because they are powerful enough to rip the intestines of a kid.
-