By Brittany Mastin, OMS-III, Osteopathic Physician Candidate 2016
Toy safety: are my kids at risk?
Safekids.org reports in 2011, roughly 262,300
children were treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury. The Journal of Clinical Pediatrics recently reported a 40 % increase in toy-related injuries in the last 24 years resulting in 1 child going to the emergency room for a toy-related injury every 3 minutes.
Are there regulations in place that ensure the safety of
toys?
Yes. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
sets guidelines that all toy manufacturers must comply with when making toys
intended for children under the age of 14. As of 2008, toys intended for
children under the age of 12 require testing by a third party to obtain a
Children’s Product Certificate.
Tips for choosing safe toys for my children
- Make sure the toy is age appropriate for your
child. Toys intended for older children may have small parts that are choking
hazards for younger children.
- Toys made of fabric should be washable and flame
resistant.
- If toys are older/heirlooms make sure they still
work properly without any broken pieces.
- Painted toys should be lead-free.
- Helmets should always be worn on ridding toys
such as bicycles and scooters.
- Toy weapons should always be brightly color so
they are not confused for dangerous weapons.
For more information on appropriate toys by age:
Visit http://www.naeyc.org/toys