There are millions of toys already existing and hundreds of new ones are produced every year. There is no doubt that toys have an important role in children’s development. However, it’s also a fact that, every year scores of children are admitted to hospitals for toy-related injuries. Especially choking is a common risk for kids below 3 years of age, since they tend to put not only toys but everything in their mouth.
Image Courtesy: safebee.com
Toy manufacturers should follow some guidelines and label all new toys for particular age groups. However probably the best thing a parent can do is to keep an eye on the child during play.
Here are certain tips to remember while dealing with toys:
- Stay away from older toys, even if they are offered by friends and family. You may find a certain toy having sentiments attached to it and are surely cost-effective, but they may not fulfill safety standards. And they may be so worn with play that they can easily break and become dangerous.
- Another thing you should remember that a toy should not be too loud for a child. For example the sound of some squeak toys, rattles and musical or electronic toys can be as big as a car horn, even louder if the child holds it very close to his ears, and then can cause damage to hearing.
Age-appropriate Toys
Don’t forget to read labels on toys to make sure if the toy is correct for your child’s age. Apart from guidelines issued by authorities, use your best judgement and also take your child’s temperament, behaviour and habits into consideration whenever you purchase a new toy. You will find a range of safe toys at Tiny Tiny Shop Shop.
Sometimes parents may think that their child who is more intelligent than other children can be given toys designed for older kids. However, the age levels of toys are set from safety point of view and not based on maturity or intelligence.
Here are a few age-specific tips to remember for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers:
- The size of toys should be big enough – minimum 6cm (2 ¼ inches) in length and 3cm (1 ¼ inches) in diameter so that they cannot be gulped or caught in the windpipe.
- If a toy is too small can be determined by a small-parts tester or choke tube. These tubes are created to be of around the same diameter as that of a child’s windpipe. If a toy fits inside it, it’s too small for a young child. If you don’t have a choke tube, you can use a toilet paper roll for the same purpose.
- Avoid coins, balls, marbles and games having balls of 4.4cm (1.75 inches) in diameter or less since they can be caught in throat and restrict breathing.
- Battery-powered toys should come with battery cases secured with screws so that children are unable to pry them open. Batteries and battery fluids can cause hazards including chemical burns, internal bleeding and choking.
Image Courtesy: connecthearing.ca
Check if a toy is strong enough to withstand chewing and is unbreakable. Also ensure that it doesn’t have:
- Strings longer than 18cm (7 inches)
- Small parts such as buttons, eyes or wheels or sharp ends that can be pulled loose
- Parts that can pinch small fingers
- Small ends that can make their way into the back of mouth
Most ride-on toys can be played with once the child becomes able to sit on it well even if unsupported. However check manufacturer’s guidelines. Rocking horses and wagons should have safety straps or harnesses and should be secure and stable enough to stop tipping.
Follow these tips to make sure that your kid enjoys the play rather than facing some serious hazard. Purchase playscapes for little ones from Tiny Tiny Shop Shop because they are perfectly safe for children.
