It's the most wonderful time of the year for toy shopping! As a parent, I totally get the urge to buy the latest flashy gadgets and coolest new toys for your kids. But 'tis the season for avoiding safety hazards too.
As much as we all love surprises on the holidays, unsafe toys are no gift for children. Small parts that look like candy, toxic chemicals in plastic, and ear-piercing noisemakers may seem fun—until someone gets hurt.
So before you race to the toy aisle and fill your carts this season, here's your safe-shopping playbook. Consider it the best holiday gift for the kids and yourself—a worry- and accident-free holiday!
US Standards For Toys
Safety is a major concern for kids' toys, especially since their minds and bodies are still developing. The country's manufacturers must follow the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International standards in creating products for children to play with.
This organization, alongside the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), examines, tests, and monitors toys, ensuring they adhere to specific standards. CPSC also has updated information about product recalls and accepts reports of toys deemed unsafe for children.
Toy-Related Injuries Are Decreasing
The CPSC reported that some 209,500 toy-related injuries led to a trip to the emergency room in 2022, but only 11 led to fatal incidents. Non-motorized scooters are primarily to blame for injuries. At the same time, balls were the main culprits for deaths—primarily due to choking and blunt force trauma to the head. Since 2015, though, the figures have steadily been declining, it added.
Check Before You Buy
Expect physical and online stores to offer crazy deals this holiday season. But don't get blindsided by these offers; always put your kids' well-being above all else.
Make it a habit to wear your inspector hat before buying toys for your kids. First, turn that toy over and scan every label, cover to cover. Age guidelines matter immensely, especially for little mouths that want to taste everything.
Identifying Potential Hazards
Despite toy safety standards and the toy industry earning several billions annually, no toy is guaranteed accident-free. A conscious parent should watch out for these hazards before buying a product:
According to the CPSC report referenced earlier, choking has been placed consistently as a major toy-related hazard. Toys for young kids shouldn't have detachable parts too small to fit in their mouths to avoid the risks of suffocation. Products with magnets are likewise classified as choking hazards, and swallowing them can cause harm or death.
Tiny accessories and button batteries scream, 'Choking hazard!' for babies and tots when swallowed, so follow age rules religiously if parts are small enough to fit into little hands or mouths.
Some parents might think plastic toys are safe for their children. While this may be true in some cases, some plastic products may have sharp edges or are easily breakable. Keeping playtimes safe means never buying such products. If you have these products, check for splinters and sharp corners, and then promptly round the edges with sandpaper.
We all love a little jingle-bell action, but beware of noisemakers that seem too extreme in volume. Loud volumes right next to ears—I'm talking screeching sirens, whizzing motors, blaring horns—can permanently damage hearing over time.
Mechanical toys with cords, bows, and strings can wrap around a child's neck. These fun features can turn hazardous in a matter of seconds. If you must buy one, choose a short-string product, and don't allow your babies to play unsupervised with it. Alternatively, you can do the tug test and pull the string. If pieces fly off easily or cords are long enough to wrap necks and limbs, it's a no-no.
Chemical burns can occur if skin comes in contact with leaking battery acid. Ensure that your child plays only with secure toys that don't have small batteries. Ingesting them is a medical emergency requiring an immediate hospital visit.
Similarly, electric toys may heat excessively and cause burns or electric shock. To be safe, don't allow young children to play with them.
Dangerous Chemicals Your Toys Shouldn't Have
While inspecting labels, check what the toy is made of too. Ensure that plastics and metals are free from these toxic chemicals:
Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical used in manufacturing plastic. Unfortunately, BPA exposure in humans is linked to various health problems, including reproductive issues.
Phthalates and lead are commonly used in making polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Prolonged and frequent exposure to this chemical is thought to disrupt the endocrine system and other internal organs.
Lead is a widely used industrial compound used in many applications. However, this chemical has no place in your children's toy rack, as it's linked to various health concerns like learning and behavioral problems and it can stunt your child's growth and development.
Steering clear of plastics and metal toys could mean you're stuck choosing fabric and other organic materials. While they're generally safe, ensure that these items don't contain flame-retardant chemicals, which can cause neurological and hormonal issues.
Safety Certifications
Conversely, choosing toys with the following labels will spare you trips to the emergency room.
Besides looking for the 'nontoxic' label on the box, look for third-party certifications for validation. Art materials should have the Art and Creative Material Institute, Inc. (ACMI) seal or the ASTM D4236 safety certification.
Underwriters Laboratories is a private organization implementing toy safety programs, including design, risk, and toxicology assessments. A UL certification means the product is deemed safe for children.
In other words, give kids toys made from all-natural materials whenever possible this year. Their developing minds and bodies will thank you.
The Takeaway
I know how magical toy shopping feels this time of year. But remember—the best gifts protect our little one's safety. So shop wisely by buying safe and age-appropriate toys, supervise play, and ensure your holidays are merry and bright. No batteries or Band-Aids required!
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.