Parents advised to consider safety when purchasing toys

Consumer protection officials from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Monday reminded holiday shoppers that although there are thousands of toys on the market, each promising to educate or entertain children, not every toy is safe.

Susan Parachini, a program manager for the department’s Consumer Protection Division, said, “Reading warning labels and selecting toys that are age appropriate are two important practices to always follow when deciding on which toys to buy for children.”

Parachini said that shopping for toys during the holidays can be exciting and fun, but it also can be frustrating. She noted that while there may be thousands of toys to choose from in one store, it's important to choose the right toy for the right age of the child. Toys that are meant for older children can be dangerous for younger children, Parachini emphasized.

“Shoppers should examine potential selections carefully and read labels that give age recommendations. Use that information provided on product labels as a guide. Labels that state, ‘not recommended for children under 3, or, contains small parts,’ are labeled that way because the small parts may pose a choking hazard to children under 3. Toys should be developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child,” Parachini advised.

Parachini provided a list of toy safety shopping tips from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for holiday toy shoppers to consider. The list includes:

Under 3 Years Old
Children under 3 years of age tend to put everything in their mouths and pull, prod and twist toys.

• Look for toys that are well made, with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.
• Avoid toys for older children, which may have small parts that pose a choking danger.
• Never let children of any age play with uninflated or broken balloons because of the choking hazard.
• Avoid marbles, balls, and games with balls that have a diameter of 1.75 inches or less because of their choking hazard.
• Avoid toys with sharp edges and points.

Ages 3 thru 5
• Avoid toys that are constructed with thin, brittle plastic that might easily break into small pieces or leave jagged edges.
• Look for household art materials, including crayons and paint sets, marked with the designation, "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.
• Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

Ages 6 thru 12
• For all children, adults should check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away.
• If a bicycle is purchased for a child of any age, also buy a helmet, and make certain the child wears it while riding.
• Teach all children to put toys away when they're finished playing with them so they or family members don't trip over or fall on them.

Parachini said that another way to make a child’s environment safer is to keep current on recalled products.

She explained that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy manufacturers to manufacture products to established safety standards and to label toys that could pose a hazard for younger children. They also recall thousands of unsafe products each year, including toys and children’s products. For more toy safety tips or information on newly recalled products, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Web site to see an archive of recalled toys at www.cpsc.gov or call their toll-free hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

[ Back ]