Safe Toys

Christmas is fast approaching and knowing that everyone's toy shopping list are drawn early, the health departments often issue a timely toy safety advisory to warn parents and toy shoppers about tips on buying toys that are child-safe.

Gift giving reflects the true spirit of Christmas but caution must be exercised when it comes to giving toys as presents. Eye-catching and cheaper toys may not be always safe. Here's a list of of the qualities of a safe toys for children of any age.

Toy Safety Checklist

• a toy must be well-constructed, safe and durable for a child.
• it must be appealing and interesting

DO

• Check the instructions and label on the toy's packaging and follow accordingly.
• Ensure that your child is supervised when he/she is playing with the toy. In short, never leave them playing unattended.
• Dispose of the toy's plastic packaging, IMMEDIATELY. It causes suffocation.

Some toys are just not meant for three-year-olds and under. In buying gifts for these age bracket, make a note of the folowing:

• Avoid small balls (1.75 inch diameter or less) as it causes choking
• Never get toys made of glass or brittle plastics that easily break into small parts of pieces
• Say 'No' to toys with small detachable parts or pieces which could become lodged in the throat
• Even those toys with sharp points and edges, also those that could pinch or entrap fingers, toes or hair
• Toys that have parts put together by straight pins, sharp wires or nails

You might save a few pennies by buying cheaper toys but you could also be unwittingly exposing yours or another's child to potential dangers caused by such substandard toys.

The following guidelines would also help for any parent or gift-giver.

• Painted toys should use lead-free paint
• Art materials like crayons must be labeled non-toxic or washable.
• Buy only toys made of non-toxic materials
• Make sure toys are age-appropriate.
• Supervise kids when playing.
• Don't let kids play with toys that had already dissembled parts as this may cause injury.

Always bear these in mind when buying toys for your kids and gifts for other children.