13 Rules for Choosing a Safe Toy for Your Child

Many people go to the toy store, the first thing they do is look at the price, believing that if they buy an expensive toy, its quality will be guaranteed. Wrong. It doesn't matter the price.

Most domestic accidents - injuries, suffocation, poisoning, bruising, etc. - are caused by incorrectly chosen toys.

Here's why you need to answer three important questions before choosing a toy:

• Is the toy safe?

• Does it correspond to the age of the child?

• Is that what your child wants?

In this article, you will see the conditions for a safe and suitable toy for your child.

Do not buy toys without labels. These toys are dubious and can be a source of danger to your child.

Choose toys that are appropriate for the child's age, abilities, and skills. The label must be marked with age recommendations - in particular the symbol "forbidden for children between 0 and 3 years old" or the words "not suitable for children under 36 months". Such toys are dangerous because children under this age tend to put things in their mouths and there is a danger of suffocation.

Purchase only toys that have been CE marked. This marking shows that the toy complies with the requirements of national and international law.

A similar mark, but with different proportions, can often appear on Chinese products, which would mean China Export or China Electronics. The difference between the two symbols lies in the space between the two letters C and E (space present only in the European marking).

Be vigilant. Make sure the toy and parts are larger than your child's mouth to prevent suffocation.

Avoid toys that are too loud to prevent damage to your baby's hearing when held close to your ears. Avoid any toy that emits a continuous, loud tone; such noise can damage your ears. Teach your little one to keep all toys that make noise away from his ears.

Choose well-lined plush toys. As far as possible, choose soft toys that can be washed in the washing machine.

Before giving such a toy to your child, take the following steps:

• Remove any loose ribbons or ropes to avoid strangulation.

• Remove any small, easily removable items, such as eyes, buttons, ports, and ornaments that could cause suffocation if swallowed.

Avoid sharp toys. Swipe your fingers over the edges of metal or plastic to see if it is dangerous for your child to cut or scratch. Also, check for wooden toys for chips or other items that could cause eye or skin damage to the touch.

Dispose of heavy toys. The little ones have a habit of picking up and throwing things away. If the weight is too high, the child may be injured or even suffer serious fractures.

Buy durable plastic toys. Thin plastic toys can break easily and hurt a little one. Make sure that the toy will not break if it is thrown on a hard surface from a child's height.

The material of the child's toy must be fire-resistant.

Avoid toys made of toxic materials. These could cause poisoning. If the paint is dubious, leave marks - give up the toy. Read carefully on the label if it says that the material is "non-toxic".

Do not give children food-like toys. The little ones will want to eat them.

Be careful when donating electric toys. Even if they are by international requirements and have the CE marking on the label, it is best to avoid giving them to young children - as they may try to put batteries in their mouths or injure themselves while trying to plug or unplug. the toy is plugged in. In the worst case, electric toys simply explode as a source of burns, intoxication, skin or eye conditions. Toys with heating elements are unsafe for children under the age of eight.

And something else. Be very careful when buying crib toys. At first glance, it is generally recommended not to keep toys in the crib, as there is a risk of suffocation. Second - check the height of the suspended toys so that they cannot be touched by the little one.