There's nothing quite like seeing your child's face light up when receiving a new toy on Christmas. While children's toys often offer smiles, laughs and hours of fun, one thing you want to be sure of is the safety of these toys. Many go through tests and must maintain high standards before they end up in the hands of children, but sadly, some still can cause harm or injury to your child.
Today we're sharing some smart tips for choosing the safest toys to ensure your little one has a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!
How to Select the Safest Toys This Season
Each year, we see fewer and fewer unsafe toys for sale, but there are still some warning signs to look for and precautions to take when selecting a new toy for your child this holiday. Toys constructed in Australia must meet specific safety standards; however, this does not entirely render them safe.
You should avoid buying toys from small variety stores and opt for making your purchases at department stores or large, well-known toy shops. When selecting toys for your child:
- Read all labels, including assembly instructions, choking hazards and age requirements.
- Look for choking hazards that may not be a part of the toy. Plastic bags, small pieces or toys with buttons, wheels or beads. As a guide, if a toy or any of its parts can fit in a 35 mm film canister, your child can potentially swallow and choke on it. Download the choke check tool to prevent this!
- Avoid toys that pop or shoot things from it as this can cause harm to your child's eyes.
- Pull, twist and drop the toy to see if any parts break off that can be placed in your child's mouth, ears or nose.
- Avoid sharp and pointy edges.
- Make sure if the toy uses batteries that they cannot be easily accessible to your child. Avoid giving your children toys with button batteries.
- Look for toys that are durable, washable, non-toxic and non-flammable.
If you're purchasing second-hand toys, be especially careful. Ask yourself:
- Do you know who the toys came from?
- Can you wash them?
- Are they old or worn?
- Can they break easily?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be in your best interest to pass on this particular toy.
Playing Safely with Your Children and Their Toys
You've chosen the safest toy for your child, and now it's time for the fun part—playtime! Just because your toy appears safe, you should always monitor your child when they play. Other tips to keep in mind are:
- Avoid storing toys meant for older children with your younger child's toys. This could result in children playing with toys not meant for their age group, potentially leading to unsafe playing conditions.
- Keep soft stuffed animals and blanket-like toys away from sleeping infants to avoid suffocation.
- Regularly clear out old toys. Old toys can break apart, posing a potential choking risk.
When shopping this year, keep in mind these tips—do not assume a toy is safe and always supervise your child when playing with something new. The holidays are a time of laughter, fun and festivities, not a time of worry. Keep your little ones safe this holiday season!
P.s. while we've got you - don't forget to download the Tiny Hearts Education app! Our app is your one-stop-shop for everything relating to the health and safety of your little one. Think of it as an insurance policy that if your little one were to be seriously sick or injured, you would have the resources at your fingertips to know what to do. Click here to download now.
