Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Toy Safety

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: January 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• How are children injured by toys?
• What are some basic safety rules I should follow?
• How do I choose a safe toy for my child?
• What toys are unsafe?
• What about toy guns?
• How do I store toys safely?

How are children injured by toys?

• Children can be suffocated in toy boxes.
• Children can wrap strings, cords, ribbons, and wires around their necks.
• Children can trip on toys that aren't put away.
• Children can be hurt by using toys that are too old for them or by using toys incorrectly.
• Children can choke on small objects that fit in their mouths.
• They can get small parts stuck in their ears or nose.
• If toys are too loud, they could hurt your child's hearing.

What are some basic safety rules I should follow?

• Keep toys with small parts away from children under age 3 and older children who still put toys in their mouth.
• Read package labels on toys. It states what age a child should be to use the toy. Follow the guidelines on the box.
• The toy should be safe for your child's age, she should understand how to play with it correctly, and it should interest her.
• Keep children on riding toys (bikes, skateboards, etc.) away from cars, stairs, pools, and porches.
• Think big. Choose toys that have parts that are too big for your child to put in her mouth.
• Teach your children to pick up their toys when they are done playing. If they are left out, someone could trip on them.
• Look at your child's toys often. If they have broken or loose parts, throw them out.
• Don't leave metal toys outside. They could rust.
• Supervise your children while they play.

How do I choose a safe toy for my child?

• Ask someone at the toy store to recommend safe toys for your child.
• Test toys before you give them to your child. Make sure they are safe.
• Do not give your child a toy in the original package. Staples and plastic can lead to cuts, choking, or suffocation.
• Make sure the eyes, nose, and other parts of stuffed animals cannot be pulled off. Seams should be tight. Remove long ribbons and strings.
• Soft toys should be machine washable.
• Darts and arrows should have blunt points.
• Crib toys should have short string or wires and often should not be used at all. Keep these high enough so your baby can't reach them. As soon as she can push up on her hands, remove them.
• Don't buy toys with metal parts for a baby or toddler.

What toys are unsafe?
Toys that are not made well, that are too old for your child, that are used wrong, or have broken parts are not safe for your child to play with.

Look for these safety hazards:

• Sharp points, rough edges and surfaces.
• Parts that come apart and could be put in the mouth or stuck in the nose or ears.
• Spikes and pins that your child could find if she took the toy apart.
• Long cords or strings. If they are longer than 12 inches, cut them shorter.
• Noise makers on toys that could be pulled off and swallowed.
• Toys that make loud noises that could hurt your child's ears.
• Screws, clamps, and other parts that are loose.
• Electric toys with frayed wires. Wiring should be UL approved.

• Throw out toys that have any of these safety hazards.
• Balloons are not a safe toy for children. Do not let children put a deflated or blown up balloon in their mouth.
• Batteries are toxic if swallowed. They are also a choking hazard.
• Avoid toys that shoot things in the air. They can cause eye injuries and choking.
• Do not give your child soft toys that are stuffed with bean-sized stuffing they could choke on.
• Toys with sharp edges are not safe.
• Toys made out of plastic and thin material can easily break and leave sharp edges.
• Avoid toxic toys and materials. Art supplies (paint, glue, etc.) should have a label that says nontoxic.

What about toy guns?
Toy guns cause many accidents and children and adolescents are best served by not playing with these toys. But, below are some suggestions to decrease the chance of injury.

• Toy guns should not look like a real gun. They should be of bright colors.
• Make sure the firing sound is not too loud. It could damage your child's hearing. Children should wear hearing protection.
• Toy guns shoot things that could cause eye injuries. Children should wear eye protection.
• Pellet and BB guns can hurt your children. They are high-powered and can easily hurt even a large child.
• Playing with toy guns may make it easier for a child to mistake a real gun as a toy.
• Toy guns should only be played with under adult supervision.

How do I store toys safely?

• If toys are stored in a toy box with a lid, make sure the lid has airholes. If it doesn't, keep the box away from children. They may climb into it and be suffocated.
• Make sure toy boxes with lids will not slam shut on your child's head. Lids should stay open on their own. Do not use a box with hinges that could pinch.
• Boxes should have a smooth surface and rounded edges.
• The best toy box is a box or basket without a lid.
• Keep older children's toys stored out of reach of younger children.
• Store art supplies and toys with chemicals (chemistry sets) out of the reach of children.

Quick Answers

• Children can be hurt by using toys by using toys incorrectly, by choking on small pieces of toys, or by getting cut and poked by sharp objects.
• The toy should be safe for your child's age, she should understand how to play with it correctly, and it should interest her.
• Test toys before you give them to your child. Make sure they are safe and can't be pulled apart.
• Throw out toys that could injure your child. Toys that make loud noises, have sharp edges, have small parts, and can fit in the mouth are not safe.
• Pellet and BB guns can hurt your children. They are high-powered and can easily hurt even a large child.
• The best toy box is a box or basket without a lid.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Choosing Safe Toys. Medem. 2000 (cited 2001 December 5). Available from: http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb_for_printer.cfm?article_ID=ZZZZYBLOQ7C&sub_cat=014
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Toy Safety. Pediatrics. (cited 2001 December 5). Available from: URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Safety/ToySafety.html
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Toy Safety: How Children are Injured. Medem. 2000 (cited 2001 December 5). Available from: URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display_for_printer.cfm?path=n:&mstr=/ZZZ9LyooQ7C.html&soc=AAP&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH

See related Patient Topics Choking, Injuries and Wounds, Lungs and Breathing, Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Safety, Safety--General, Symptoms and Manifestations or Wellness and Lifestyle.

See related Provider Topics Injuries and Wounds, Lungs and Breathing, Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Safety, Symptoms and Manifestations or Wellness and Lifestyle.

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