Tips for Toy Safety
Christmas is coming! Thinking about buying some toys for your little loved ones? As parents, we have to take cautious steps to prevent any hazards because many accidents happen to young children every year. The National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) posted a List of Consumer Tips to help parents protect their children from hazards posed by toys.
1. Avoid choking hazards. Parents of infants and toddlers do not buy any small toys or toys with small parts. PIRGs says,
Choking is the most common cause of toy-related deaths. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least seven children choked to death in 2004 on balloons, toys, or toy parts.
2. Avoid strangulation hazards. Parents should check the ends of pull toys. Remove knobs or beads from cords longer than one foot to prevent the cords from tangling into a dangerous loop.
3. Avoid loud noise hazards. As children’s ears are sensitive, and their hearing is easily damaged, be careful and try every effort to protect children from loud toys. Use your own ears as a guide. If a toy seems loud to you, it is probably too loud for a child. Don’t buy it. If you really like to buy for your child, then take the batteries out of loud toys or cover speakers with tape.
4. Avoid Toxic Chemicals. Some toys may contain toxic chemicals. Avoid toys made of PVC plastic. Choose wooden or cloth toys instead. Parents should read labels carefully before buying.
5. Be cautious when buying toys offered on the internet. PIRGs also remind parents that the safety information and warnings required on toys in stores are rarely repeated on web sites that sell toys. Beware that some toys sold on the Internet may be manufactured by companies that do not comply with U.S. toy regulations.
Reference: