Age Appropriate Toys

Toys can bring joy to the lives of children. However, the wrong toys in the wrong small hands can elicit deadly consequences. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission each year, hundreds of thousands of children are injured due to the use of age inappropriate toys.

It is imperative that parents heed the warning and guidelines listed on toy purchases and gifts regarding the age recommendations of that particular product.

Be aware:

• Don’t purchase toys without proper warnings, warnings, instructions or age recommendations.
• Dart guns, sling shots, and pea-shooters with projectile parts can cause eye injury or blindness.
• Toys that string across cribs or playpens can result in strangulation death and injuries.
• Toys containing small parts and small removable attachments at the end of laces and strings (e.g., bells, knobs, etc.) can be swallowed or aspirated, causing choking.
• Toys with pointed tips, and blunt or sharp edges can crush, cut or puncture children’s skin.
• Toys with strings longer than 6 inches can strangle small children.
• Make sure toys requiring electricity to function have step-down transformers to reduce risk of shock and electrocution.
• Long handled toys for children up to 4 years of age are choking hazards. It is possible for children to place these toys in their mouths and choke.
• Toys with toxic surfaces or components have the potential to be ingested or cause skin irritations.

Always check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for up-to-date toy recall information.