| Buying toys for your children can be difficult because | | | | have to say about it. Many toys have age restrictions |
| all too often toys contain small pieces, breakable | | | | on the boxes, but some do not. Use your best |
| parts, or have sharp edges. But there are ways to | | | | judgment when choosing these types of toys. The |
| cut down on the number of unsafe toys that you | | | | same goes for bath toys and infant toys. Once you |
| bring into your home. Educating yourself about toy | | | | have found a toy company that manufactures safe |
| safety will help you make better decisions about | | | | toys for children, you should continue to purchase |
| which toys you should let your children play with. You | | | | toys from the company until your child grows out of |
| should pay particular attention to baby toys as your | | | | them. Ride on toys should always be used under |
| baby can become seriously injured when playing with | | | | supervision so that your child does not suffer any |
| unsafe toys. As your child grows, they will be able to | | | | injuries. Other toys that involve movement include |
| play with more toys and avoid injury. There are | | | | inflatable bouncer, jumpers, and other preschool toys. |
| many different types of toys on the market today. | | | | These toys should only be used by one child at a |
| Just because developmental toys are meant to | | | | time and should not be used unless a parent is |
| educate and help your child learn does not mean they | | | | present. Children can fall off these toys and injure |
| are safe. You should always inspect a toy after | | | | themselves. As with most toys, you should limit the |
| bringing it home or when you are thinking about | | | | amount of time that a child can use the toy. This will |
| purchasing it at the store. Pieces that can be | | | | also reduce injury. Keeping your child safe is your first |
| swallowed, packaging that can cause suffocation, and | | | | priority as a parent. If a toy seems unsafe, then it |
| wires that stick out are not toys that you want your | | | | probably is. Children's playhouses and toddler beds |
| child to play with. Find soft toys for babies, and toys | | | | should be constructed with care using the correct |
| that have large pieces for toddles. Toddler toys | | | | tools. If a playhouse is not constructed correctly, |
| should be put away after use especially if there are | | | | then it could collapse and cause injury. The same |
| other children that could hurt themselves. Buying a | | | | goes for toddler beds. You should read all of the |
| toy chest will help keep clutter to a minimum. If you | | | | instructions before building these items. |
| are unsure about the age limit of a particular toy, you | | | | Jeff Carlisle is a freelance editor for Little Tikes |
| should call the toy manufacturers to see what they | | | | Coupons. |