by Joan Lawrence
(NAPSI)—This holiday season, you can pick out toys that are both fun
and safe with these simple tips:
1. Follow the age guidance and
other safety information on toy packaging. The age grading isn’t
about how smart a child is—it’s based on the developmental
abilities of children at a given age and the specific features of the toy.
2. Choose a toy that matches your
child’s age and interests. The perfect toys are the ones that are right
for your children. If a toy is too advanced, they’ll become frustrated,
and if it’s too simple, they’ll get bored. Providing kids with
age-appropriate playthings will help them stay safe and reap the full
benefits of playtime.
3. Avoid toys with small parts for
kids under 3. Items around the home that have small parts are fine for
older kids but can pose a choking hazard for children under 3 (or kids who
still mouth objects). Toys with small parts have a warning label on the
packaging, so keep a careful eye out as you shop.
4. Shop at a retailer you know and
trust. Store staff at established businesses will be knowledgeable about
age-appropriate toys. At garage sales, secondhand stores or temporary
“pop-up” retailers, sellers may not know about the latest safety
information and certified products—and may not be around should an
issue arise later on.
5. Visit PlaySafe.org for more
safety advice. Once the gifts are unwrapped, visit www.PlaySafe.org for tons of advice on
toys and play. It’s a comprehensive, free resource that includes
detailed tips on small parts, advice for new parents, how to keep kids safe
during active play, information on battery and magnet safety, the importance
of parental supervision during play and much more.
It’s important to know that all toys sold in the U.S., no matter where
they’re made, are subject to strict federal safety laws and standards.
So just be sure to pick out toys that match a child’s age and interests
and then get on the floor and play with your kids. Showing little ones how to
properly use a toy can be the best way to make sure they understand how to
safely enjoy it.
• Ms. Lawrence, a.k.a. the
“Toy Safety Mom,” is a lifelong child safety advocate with more
than 20 years of experience in the toy industry and senior vice president of
standards and regulatory affairs at The Toy Association.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)