| British and European toy safety regulations ensure | | | | in the toy's instructions. |
| that the toys available in our shops are safe and well | | | | Buying toys for younger children |
| made. In fact, just 1.5 per cent of household | | | | While age warnings are an essential part of the toy |
| accidents in the UK involve toys and these are rarely | | | | regulations, they can also be beneficial for consumers |
| because of a fault with the toy itself. While all toys | | | | when it comes to choosing toys that are most |
| sold here must adhere to very strict safety | | | | beneficial and fun for a particular age group. While |
| standards, those intended for children under 36 | | | | buying a plastic ball for a baby might not pose any |
| months must meet particularly rigorous standards. In | | | | safety risks, there are probably other toys that will |
| this article we look at the regulations that cover toys | | | | be much more beneficial for the child's development. |
| for younger children and advise you on what to | | | | For this reason, consumers should always look out |
| watch out for when buying them. | | | | for markings that indicate which age group the toy is |
| By law, all toys sold in the UK must meet the | | | | intended for. Toys for the birth to 12 months age |
| standards set out in the Toy Safety Regulations that | | | | group will differ significantly from toys intended for |
| were updated in 1995. One quick and easy way for a | | | | children aged one and two. |
| parent to check that a toy meets UK and European | | | | When buying for the birth to 12 months age group |
| safety standards is to check for the CE marking. | | | | you should look for toys that will stimulate the child's |
| Also, most toys in Britain bear the Lion Mark which | | | | senses - sight, sound, touch and taste. Rattles and |
| provides further assurance that the toy meets the | | | | squishy toys are perfect for the early months, while |
| highest safety standards. However, by law toys for | | | | blocks, cups and rings will become more suitable as |
| younger children and especially toys that could pose a | | | | the child approaches 12 months. |
| danger for children under 36 months must bear extra | | | | Once a child reaches one year and begins to walk an |
| markings. | | | | entirely different range of toys come into play. Toys |
| These toys must bear a warning such as 'Not suitable | | | | for this age group should encourage and help with |
| for children under 36 months'. This warning must be | | | | the physical and mental development of the child. |
| accompanied by details in the instructions of the | | | | Ride-on toys and push toys can be good for physical |
| particular danger posed to younger children by the | | | | development at this age. There are any number of |
| toy. Common examples of this would be 'Choking | | | | toys that can help with mental development such as |
| hazard' or 'Sharp objects'. It is possible for these | | | | basic jig-saw puzzles and simple board games. |
| warnings not to appear on toys when it is plainly | | | | Most manufacturers of toys for children under 36 |
| obvious that they are not suitable for children under | | | | months will specify which of these age groups the |
| 36 months. | | | | toy is most suitable for, even if toy safety |
| Also, the toy safety regulations state that the level | | | | regulations do not require it. It is also a good idea to |
| of risk associate a toy should reflect the age of the | | | | exercise a degree of common sense when buying |
| child who will play with it. "This applies in particular to | | | | toys for young children. For example, if you are |
| toys which, by virtue of their functions, dimensions | | | | buying a cuddly toy quickly check that none of the |
| and characteristics, are intended for use by children | | | | small parts such as eyes are loose and that there is |
| under 36 months," the regulations state. Also, if any | | | | no loose stuffing or fur. The toy safety regulations |
| toy requires adult supervision, then this must be | | | | go a long way towards protecting young children but |
| clearly stated on the toy or its packaging. | | | | it is not impossible for defective items to slip through |
| While age warnings in text are acceptable by law, | | | | the net. |
| they have increasingly been replaced by a logo since | | | | Because of this, you should keep a constant ear to |
| 1995. The 'grumpy baby' logo warns that a toy | | | | the ground for toy recalls. If you think you have any |
| should not be used by a child under three years, and | | | | toy that has been recalled you should take it out of |
| has become a familiar warning symbol to many | | | | the toy box immediately. There are a number of |
| consumers. While the logo can replace a warning in | | | | websites that provide information on toy recalls. |
| text, the reason for the hazard must still be provided | | | | |