Child Safety Task Force Safe Toy Shopping Guide

Have questions about which toys are safe for your kids?
Here’s a quick checklist of what to look for before you buy.
Click here for a printable version of this guide

Fabric and stuffed toys:
Materials should be washable and flame resistant.
Eyes, buttons, etc. should be firmly secured.

Electric toys:
Any toy with a power source should be labeled UL, complying with safety standards for minimized shock and burn risks. Batteries should be secured and locked to avoid choking and poisoning hazards. Avoid long cords, which may pose strangulation risks.

Art supplies:
Crayons and paints should be marked ‘ASTM D-4236’
All materials should be non-toxic

Plastic toys:
CSPC warns that trendy ‘Phthalate free’ toys could result in weaker or more brittle plastics which present breaking and choking hazards. ‘Phthalate free’ products may also contain untested alternative chemicals. Do not purchase items with sharp edges or detachable parts for small children. Plastic toys- like all products for children- should be free of lead paints.

Outdoor toys:
If purchasing a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or skates, read age guidelines. Purchase helmets and other safety gear like hand, wrist and shin guards which meet safety guidelines and are marked with CPSC or Snell certification labels.

Age-Appropriate Toys
Use labeling on toys as guidelines for the appropriate toys for your child’s age. Age levels are determined by the CSPC based on safety – a child’s maturity or intelligence does not mean he is safe with toys meant for older children.

For Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

• Toys should be sturdy enough to stand up to pounding, pulling, twisting and mouthing.
• Ensure that any small parts are securely attached. No toy or detachable part of a toy should be small enough to become lodged in a child’s windpipe. The guidelines for choking hazards require small parts to be 1.75” in diameter or more, including any detachable part or accessible battery. Do not purchase hard plastic toys thin enough to break, leaving sharp edges. Cloth or rubberized plastic toys are best for this age.
• Loud toys can contribute to hearing damage, especially in young children, who are more likely to hold a toy directly to the ear.

For Grade-Schoolers

• Any projectile part of a toy (balls, darts, arrows) should be soft-tipped.
• Toy weapons should have orange tips. Caps, BB guns and pellet rifles are appropriate only for children over age 16.
• Electric toys with heating elements are recommended only for children over eight years old.

We do not advise that you purchase toys used or accept hand-me-down toys made before 1995, as they may not be safety-tested. Toys which have been recalled or banned may still show up at used-toy establishments. If you own a toy which has been recalled, return it or throw it away – do not donate it or give it away, as it poses a risk to other children. Check toys regularly to make sure that they aren’t broken or unusable. Look for splinters, rust, broken seams, sharp edges, removable parts, or accessible batteries. Repair or dispose of these toys immediately.

Recall Information and Reporting Unsafe Toys

For the latest product safety and recall information, check the CPSC website.
Call their hotline at (800) 638-CPSC to report a product hazard or a related injury.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) closely monitors and regulates toys. Additional CSPC guidelines, as well as safety and recall advisories, are available on their website. This guide is intended as a courtesy and is not a substitute for additional research, parental responsibility, or supervision of children’s play.