1.
Buy age-appropriate toys by reading the labels. Each toy or
game will have a suggested age range listed on the item. This
label contains two pieces of safety information. One is if
the item can and should be utilized by a specific age due
to developmental and intellectual ability, and the other is
for possible health hazards.
2.
Beware of choking hazards. Parents think that their child
should be able to play with a toy based on their developmental
ability. However, if the toy or game clearly displays a choking
hazard label, and your child puts everything in their mouth,
do not buy it. Choking is the most common cause of toy-related
deaths. Avoid toys or games with small detachable parts.
3.
Get an up-close look. Take the toy or game out of the box.
Look for safe construction: well-sewn seams on dolls and stuffed
animals, and tightly secured parts, including eyes, arms and
legs. Be sure that nothing can be broken off or easily removed,
including small clothing pieces and accessories. Close your
eyes and touch all of the edges to be sure that they are not
sharp or pointed.
4.
Avoid balls and balloons. Many times, balls and balloons are
given to babies and toddlers thinking that they will be safe
toys when in fact they can pop or get caught in the throat.
As a test, put small balls through a paper towel roll. If
it can fit inside, keep it away from babies and small children.
Pieces of popped balloons can completely block the airway
and are never safe for children younger than four.
5.
Avoid toys with loud noises. Children’s ears are very
sensitive. If it hurts your ears, then you can bet it will
harm a baby or toddler.
6.
Prevent strangulation. If a toy, doll or mobile has strings
or ribbons, measure them to be sure that they are no longer
than five inches.
7.
Skip electronic toys for young children. For children younger
than age three, there is always a potential fire or shock
hazard in electronic toys. Due to the lack of coordination
in the manual dexterity of the fine motor skills in the fingertips
of young children, they have very little patience for learning
how an electronic toy works. Frustration can lead to throwing
or banging on the toy, which could result in harmful splintered
pieces or an electric shock.
8.
Remove cords, knobs and beads from pull toys. Younger kids
will sit and push or hold a "pull" toy just as often
as trying to pull it. While they are popular toys based on
the thought that the interaction might possibility motivate soon-to-be
walkers to actually get up and walk, kids are just as happy
to hold a colorful item and push it around.
9.
Check for latex rashes. Be sure your child is not allergic
to toys made of plastic or latex. If you see a rash appear
around the mouth, hands or eyes after your child plays with
a certain toy, ask your pediatrician about the possibility
of your child being allergic. In some children, it can lead
to breathing difficulties.
10.
Check for toy recalls. Check for toy recalls on a regular
basis to be sure that your kids’ toys are safe.
Keep
the Holidays simple, fun and safe by following these guidelines.
Share them with family and friends for a wonderful season.
©
2005 Jodie Lynn
Jodie
Lynn is an award-winning internationally syndicated family/health
columnist and radio personality. Her syndicated column Parent
to Parent (parenttoparent.com) has been successful for over
10 years and appears in newspapers, magazines, newsletters
and throughout the Internet. She is a regular contributor
to several sites including eDiets.com, MommiesMagazine.com,
ParentingBookmark.com, and is the Residential Mom Expert for
BabyUniverse.com. Lynn has written two books and contributed
to two others, one of which was on Oprah and has appeared
on NBC in a three month parenting segment. Her latest best-selling
parenting/family book is Mommy-CEO, revised edition. Preorder
Lynn's new book, "Mom CEO: Avoiding the Distressed Housewife
Syndrome and Winning at Motherhood," online or from any
bookstore in mid 2006. See www.ParentToParent.com for more
details.
