Guide In Buying Christmas Toys For Children

The holidays are right around the corner and soon we will be
thinking of gifts for our loved ones. Do you have a toddler on
your shopping list? You will want to make sure the toys you buy
are safe. Always check that you are buying toys that fit the age
and skill level of your child. A three year old can be
frustrated to no end by a toy that is meant for a five year
old. Not only that, but toys with small parts can be dangerous,
even deadly. Small children automatically put things in their
mouths so small parts from toys will probably end up there
where the child can swallow or choke on them.
 
Small kids love stuffed animals and toys and they are given
plenty of them as gifts, but even these toys need to be checked
for quality construction. Make sure they eyes, nose, and other
small features are on tight so the child can’t bite them off as
they chew on the toy. It is best to get stuffed toys that have
the eyes and nose embroidered on so you don’t have to worry
about buttons or plastic parts coming off.
 
Avoid sharp edges. Imagine your child running with the toy and
what would happen if he fell on it. Plus sharp edges can damage
the mouths and face.
 
Save electric toys for when the kids are over eight years old.
They are just not safe for toddlers. Don’t be tempted by
something that looks neat or is on sale. Any toy that has an
electrical heating or lighting element is unsafe and hazardous
when left with a child unsupervised.
 
Be sure to read the labels on the toy before you buy. The
recommended ages and safety guidelines are listed and should be
adhered to.
 
As soon as your toddler unwraps his toy, throw away the plastic
wrapping. Plastic is not safe around kids as it poses a
suffocation hazard. Keep a watch out for the twisty ties that
keep toys in their packages. Immediately throw them away as
they pose a safety hazard to small children.
 
Before making your toy purchase and even periodically
afterwards, it is a good idea to check the recall list from the
US Consumer Product Safety Commission to make sure the toy has
not been recalled because it potentially poses a serious hazard
to your child. Their website is http://www.cpsc.gov or you can
call them at (800) 638-2772.
 
You will probably be surprised at the number of toys on the
list, many by well known manufacturers. Below are a few that
have been recalled:
 
Little People Animal Sounds Farm by Fisher-Price. An incident
was reported where a small child inhaled the screws from the
stall doors. Emergency surgery was performed to remove the
screw from his lungs.
 
Walt Disney’s Woody Dolls. Woody Dolls that were distributed by
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts also have been recalled. It was
determined the doll’s buttons could easily detach and pose a
choking hazard for small children.
 
Battat Drumsticks
 
Drumsticks sold with toy drum sets by Battat Incorporated. The
end of the drumstick breaks off easily and the opposite end can
loosen and detach therefore this toy was recalled since it poses
a choking hazard for small kids.
 
Watch for those twisty ties that keep toys secure in their
packages. They may keep them looking nice in the store but are
a hazard as they are taken off the toy. They often have a small
plastic backing between the cardboard and the tie. Even if your
toddler’s toys don’t have these, an older sibling might receive
a toy with them. They need to be properly discarded to avoid any
danger to a younger child.
 
If you have a beloved tot on your shopping list, keep in mind
the safety considerations above so your child will have a safe
and happy holiday.

About The Author: Marianne Jackson is a staff writer at
http://www.christmas-gazzette.com and an occasional contributor
to several other websites, including
http://www.family-review.com