The Hazards of Children’s Toys
It is a concern of many parents, unsafe toys. 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. Many toys that you might not consider to be a risk can have sharp edges that are potentially harmful. 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. It is generally common knowledge that children and small parts do not mix well. As children invariably love to put things in their mouth, they can very easily swallow small parts and choke on them. Some toys might appear to have no small parts but because they are made from poor quality materials, parts easily break off and pose an equal risk.
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. Thankfully most toys are tested thouroughly for dangerous chemicals, but some will always slip though 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.
