Baby Toys And Safety In The Home

Each year in Australia, and all over the world, toys are responsible for thousands of accidents so it is critical to take care when purchasing extra toys and when leaving toys lying all around the home.

Because of the stringent regulations imposed on the manufacturers of toys, the safety of toys themselves are not usually the major issue or problem. Instead, the bulk of accidents come about when toys are left lying around the home and when young children have access to toys designed for older children.

When purchasing a toy as a parent should always make certain that the baby or toddler carries a CE or Lion Mark, both of which signify toy quality and its adherence to toy safety policies. It is worthwhile to be aware that if a toy does not carry one of these special mark stamps, it may be intended as a novelty toy and possibly will not be safe for children. Moreover, as parents or children you should always check the age range displayed on the toy's packaging and only ever allow children access to a toy once they are above the minimum age range specified.

Safety tips around the home:

* Check toys meticulously for small, detachable pieces before giving to your children (especially those under 3)


* Never give babies under the age of 3 balloons, small balls or marbles or anything else they could put into their mouths


* Make sure you keep all magnets and toys with magnetic parts away from children under 6 years of age

* Do not permit children to play with toys made of fluffy fabric or 'hair' that can easily be sucked, chewed or pulled out


* If possible attempt to avoid giving children under 6 toys with long ribbons or ropes attached


* Make certain children use the appropriate safety gear when on a bike, skateboard or roller skates


* Habitually check the condition of your children's toys and dispose of any showing signs of wear and tear

* Make sure older children tidy their toys away subsequent to use as tripping is one of the most frequent household accidents


* Encourage your children to play with just one toy at a time so they are easier to oversee

By taking the above safety tips into consideration and you provide your children with continuous supervision whilst they are playing, the risk of toy connected accidents will be minimised significantly.

If you are interested in reading more baby safety articles see here.