Background

Each year, there are 150,000 toy-related injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates.

Unsafe toys, poor purchasing decisions by parents, and improper use or maintenance of toys can all lead to injury or even death. It is important that parents are well educated about potential hazards in order to prevent health risks or accidents. The following suggestions can help keep playtime safe and fun:

Select Toys with Care

• Watch out for toys that have sharp edges or small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
• Avoid toys that produce extremely loud noises that can damage hearing.
• Buy toys that are appropriate for a child’s age, interest, and abilities.
• Check with parents before you buy a child a toy that requires close supervision, such as electrically operated toys, shooting toys, etc.
• Look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal on electrical toys.

Teach Proper Use of Toys

• Read the instructions and explain to the child how to use the toy.
• Always supervise children while they play.
• Check toys periodically for broken parts and potential hazards.
• Teach children to put their toys away so the toys do not get broken or pose a falling hazard.

Educate Yourself on Toy Safety Issues

• Browse the resources on this page.
• Have a safety treasure hunt with your child!

(links to take action page)

Resources

Learn from the Experts The CSTF blog covers a variety of children’s safety topics. Here we have collected our top posts on the importance of toy safety, and what you can do to better protect your child from potentially unsafe toys.

Shop smart: Safe Toy Shopping Guide Proactive steps you can take to make sure potentially unsafe toys never make it into your home. Click here.

Toy and Product Recalls 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 the CPSC website. Click Here

Consumer Product Safety Commission Publications A large assortment of publications on a variety of toy safety topics, compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Click Here

Consumer Product Safety Commission Report on Plastic Toys This 2001 report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chronic Health Advisory panel provides a sound, factual assessment of health risks associated with plastic toys. The CPSC concludes: “The risk to reproductive and developmental processes in humans due to DINP [primary plasticizers in children’s toys] exposure is extremely low or non-existent.” Click here

Articles

Opposing Views – Promoting Child Safety

These days, parents are inundated with information on how to “keep kids safe”. It seems there are hundreds of news reports released each week citing the latest studies on what you should or should not exposure your kids to… Full Article.

NPR – What’s In My Plastic? A Closer Look At Phthalates Phthalates have long been used to make plastics soft and flexible, but recent public concern has prompted lawmakers to ban six of these chemicals in toys and other kids’ products. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission — charged with enforcing the ban — found that the exposure from kids’ toys is too low to be a risk… Full Article.

NPR – New Law Doesn’t Mean All is well in Toyland A new federal law took effect this week banning chemicals called phthalates in children’s toys and other kids’ products. While the ban was hailed as a victory for children’s health, it’s no guarantee that the products are safe… Full Article.

Consumer Reports – Toys or candy? Mixed messages put children at risk As a parent of young children, I know how hard it is to get them to put the right things in their mouths and to keep the wrong things out. Now some companies are making that message harder to deliver… Full Article.