Children's Health: Toy Safety

When purchasing toys for children, it is important to consider several safety factors. Toys should be appealing and interesting to a child, age-appropriate, well-constructed, durable and suited for that particular child’s physical, mental and social capabilities.

Safety Regulations

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets mandatory toy safety regulations, as follows:

All Ages

• Electrical toys should have no shock or thermal hazards.
• Toys should not contain toxic materials in or on them.
• Toy paint should not contain traces of lead.
• Art materials used by children under 12 should be non-hazardous.
• Latex toys, games and balloons must contain warning labels regarding the choking and suffocation hazards.

Ages 3 to 6

• All toys and games with small parts must be labeled to warn of the choking hazards.
• All toys and games with balls less than 1.75 inches diameter must be labeled to warn of choking hazards.
• All toys and games with marbles must be labeled for choking hazards.

Under Age 8

• Electrically operated toys should not have heating elements.
• No toys should have sharp points or edges.

Tips for Parents

Parents can take a number of steps to help reduce their child’s risk for toy-related injuries:

• Make sure to refer to age and safety labels.
• Keep deflated balloons and broken balloon pieces away from children.
• Keep objects that can easily fit into a child’s mouth out of reach.
• Read all toy warnings and instructions.
• Keep a child’s ability in mind, rather than age, when purchasing toys.
• Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods and dangerous edges.
• Repair or replace any damaged or defective toys.
• Supervise children’s craft projects, as scissors and glue are among the most dangerous products.

You can report a dangerous toy. If you think a toy or product is hazardous, contact the CPSC at 800-638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov.

More toy safety resources:

Toy safety checklist: http://www.preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist

Toy recalls: http://www.safekids.org/product-recalls

Lead poisoning facts and resources: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/

How to tell if a toy contains lead: http://www.envirovantage.com/how-to-tell-if-toys-contain-lead/

Choosing safe toys: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/safe_toys.html