| Kids love to play with toys, and parents’ love | | | | let them keep it or repair it yourself. Children often |
| that their kids are being entertained. When | | | | put toys in their mouths and glue can be harmful or |
| you’re standing in the middle of the toys at a | | | | toxic. |
| store, it can be overwhelming to choose the best | | | | Recently, the toy industry has had to recall toys |
| toy for your child. Is it safe, what’s this toy | | | | from stores. There has been lead found in the paint |
| made out of, is there lead in the paint, will my child | | | | and some toys have been malfunctioned. Check with |
| like this toy? Most importantly, when you are | | | | toy stores to see if they have a list of recalled toys |
| choosing a toy for your child, make sure that it is | | | | or research online. Once you have the list of recalled |
| safe. Here are some tips on toy safety that can help | | | | toys, go through your child’s toys and make |
| you make your decision when buying children’s | | | | sure you don’t have any of those toys. If you |
| toys. | | | | do, return them to the manufacture. |
| The most important safety tip is checking to see if | | | | If you are buying toys for another kid for a birthday |
| the toy is age appropriate. Most toys or games have | | | | party or holiday, it never hurts to ask their parents |
| an age level somewhere on the box. Buying a toy | | | | what they think would be an appropriate toy. Some |
| designed for a three year old could be hazardous if | | | | parents may have their own guidelines for age level |
| you are letting a small infant play with it. The age | | | | appropriateness of a toy. Also, some parents may |
| levels on toys and games are defined by the Toy | | | | have a personal preference on the types of toys |
| Industry Association and the U.S. Consumer Product | | | | their child plays with. Some parents may only allow |
| Safety Commission. The age levels take into account | | | | educational toys in their home, while another parent |
| the ability of a child’s age to handle a certain | | | | only allows toys made in the U.S. in their home. A |
| type of toy. | | | | parent knows their child best. |
| Once you have found toys that are age appropriate, | | | | When you have made a final choice for the toys you |
| look for sharp edges or other harmful aspects on a | | | | allow your kids to play with, it is best to teach your |
| toy. Are there small pieces that may easily break or | | | | kids toy safety. If you bought your kids a basketball, |
| be removed from the toy that a child could swallow? | | | | teach them not to run in the street to chase after |
| Is the toy broken and will it scratch my child? Toys | | | | ball especially if they are young. Also teach your |
| can be damaged during the shipping process, and | | | | children the difference between indoor and outdoor |
| should be returned because they are unsafe to play | | | | toys. Flying a plane in the house could break |
| with. Also, if your child breaks a toy it is best not to | | | | something fragile. |