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FOR
KIDS' SAKE
THINK
TOY SAFETY
The following was extracted from the
US Consumer Product Safety Commission's document #4281. For the complete
document contact the CPSC at 1-800-638-2772.
ALL TOYS ARE NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN
Keep toys designed for older children out of
the hands of little ones. Follow labels that give age recommendations.
Some toys are recommended for older children because they may be hazardous
in the hands of a younger child. Teach older children to help keep their
toys away from younger brothers and sisters. Even balloons, when uninflated
or broken, can choke or suffocate if young children try to swallow them.
More children have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of broken
balloons than on any other type of toy.
BUYING TOYS
Be a label reader. Look for and heed age recommendations,
such as "Not recommended for children under three". Look for other safety
labels including: "Flame retardant/Flame resistant" on fabric products
and "Washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.
MAINTAINING TOYS
Check all toys periodically for breakage and
potential hazards. A damaged or dangerous toy should be thrown away or
repaired immediately. Examine all outdoor toys regularly for rust or weak
parts that could become hazardous.
STORING TOYS
Teach children to put their toys safely away
on shelves or in a toy chest after playing to prevent trips and falls.
Use a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in any position to which
it is raised, and will not fall unexpectedly on a child. Watch for sharp
edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or squeeze. See that toys
used outdoors are stored after play. Rain or dew can rust or damage a variety
of toys and toy parts creating hazards.
SHARP EDGES
New toys intended for children under eight years
of age should, by regulation, be free of sharp glass and metal edges. With
use, however, older toys may break, exposing cutting edges.
SHARP POINTS
Toys which have been broken may have dangerous
points or prongs. Stuffed toys may have wires inside the toy which could
cut or stab if exposed. A CPSC regulation prohibits sharp points in new
toys and other articles intended for use by children under eight years
of age.
SMALL PARTS
Older toys can break to reveal parts small enough
to be swallowed or to become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears or nose.
The law bans small parts in new toys intended for children under three.
This includes removable small eyes and noses on stuffed toys and dolls,
and small, removable squeakers on squeeze toys.
CORDS AND STRINGS
Toys with long strings or cords may be dangerous
for infants and very young children. The cords may become wrapped around
an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings,
cords, loops, or ribbons in cribs or playpens where children can become
entangled. Remove crib gyms for the crib when the child can pull up on
hands and knees; some children have strangled when they fell across crib
gyms stretched across the crib.
PROPELLED OBJECTS
Projectiles -- guided missiles and similar flying
toys -- can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children
should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby
or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children
should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips
intended to prevent injury. Check to be sure the tips are secure. Avoid
those dart guns or other toys which might be capable of firing articles
not intended for use in the toy, such as pencils or nails.
ELECTRIC TOYS
Electric toys with heating elements are recommended
only for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use
electric toys properly, cautiously and under adult supervision.
TOY RESPONSIBILITY
Protecting children from unsafe toys is the responsibility
of everyone. Careful toy selection and proper supervision of children at
play is still -- and always will be -- the best way to protect children
from toy-related injuries. To report a product hazard or a product-related
injury, write to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington,
D.C., 20207, or call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772. A teletypewriter
for the deaf is available at 1-800-638-8270. |