Choosing-poorly designed toys or toys that aren鈥檛 age-appropriate for your child can lead to more harm than fun.
Shelli Stephens-Stidham, director of the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas, based at Parkland Hospital System, says federal regulations are in place to try to ensure toy safety. But she says parents still need to be careful.
Shelli Stephens-Stidham鈥檚 advice for selecting safe toys:
- Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
- Read all toy instructions carefully before buying the toy.
- To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don鈥檛 give young children (under 10 years of age) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
- Children under 3 years of age can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under 3 years of age cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
- Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids鈥� toys away from young children.
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