What Makes Kid’s Toys Dangerous?
ByEnsuring children have safe toys is a concern that many parents have. And they have good reason to be concerned and a large number of toys on the market still are not built in a safe way, although thankfully more and more are these days due to tighter manufacturing regulations. However, parents still need to be careful and below we highlight some of the important things to look out for to ensure toys are safe.
Sharp edges. It is imperative that toys do not have sharp edges, even if they are made from seemingly soft materials. As children frequently run with their toys and play with them in a rough manner, picking up a cut or a jab from a sharp-edged toy is very easy.
Small parts. This is probably the most well known hazard of children’s toys. Due to the fact a child will stick anything in their mouth without knowing what it is, pretty much all small parts are potential choking hazards. Sometimes toys don’t have small parts on first inspection, but break up easily due to weak materials and these are equally, if not more dangerous.
Chemicals. Whether it is dangerous chemicals in plastics, harmful fluids in toys, or simply toxins in the paint that they are decorated with, kids can be seriously harmed by inconsiderate materials. All toys should be tested for such things, but unfortunately some dangerous toys slip through the net.
Mechanical Hazards. Some toys might not seem dangerous at first glance but their pure functioning poses a risk to children. Good examples of this are toys that have springs or elastic band actions that can release unexpectedly and can potentially harm the eyes. Also a toy might have a hinge or shutter that children can get fingers trapped in for example.
All toys and Christmas gifts should comply with the health and safety regulations of their respective countries, so next time you’re buying gifts for her or him look out for the endorsement logos on the toy’s label first.