Toys can be "natural" and found around the home or outside, or they can be "commercial" and purchased in a store. This is where safety comes in. How do parents know which toys are hazardous for their children?

Not all toy hazards can be detected, nor can any toy be completely safe for all children at all times. The safety risk of any toy is due to the unique combination of the child, the toy, and the way the child uses the toy. The best safety features of any toy include suitability of the toy to the child’s AGE and ABILITIES, and the supervision of the child’s play by an alert adult.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:

     Select a reputable manufacturer.
     Shop in a reliable toy store.
     Buy a toy that is sealed in protective packaging.
     Follow the recommended age ranges on toy
     packages. Toys that are too advanced could
     be a safety hazard for younger children.
     Before buying a toy or allowing your child to
     play with a gift toy, read the instructions carefully.
     If the toy is appropriate for the age of your child,
     show him/her how to use it properly.

To learn more about whether a toy is unsafe or to report a toy-related injury, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at 1-800-638-2772. Another excellent source of information on toys and play in general, is the booklet put out by the Toy Manufacturers of America. It can be acquired free by writing to:
The American Toy Institute, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue Suite 740
New York NY 10010.

Play is essential to a child’s development. When children feel successful and capable as they play, experiences result that can forge strong bonds between parent and child throughout childhood.