As parents we must ensure that our children are safe when they play and one thing we should do is to make sure the toys they play with are not hazardous to them. Buying well made toys from reputable manufacturers is essential but we can't just stop there. Children can be extremely rough with their and over time toys even the most durable toys will become damaged so we need to inspect them regularly and throw out any that cannot be repaired safely.
Wooden toys, for example, are excellent for their durability but can be chewed by small children so that splinters can be a hazard. The good news is that wooden toys, unlike plastic toys, can easily be repaired by sanding down until smooth again and repainting with lead free paint.
Toys that are played with outside can become rusty and damaged and should be checked often. If they cannot be repaired throw them out before they cause an accident.
Many of us store away toys in toy boxes but we need to make sure these do not cause safety issues. Lids on toy boxes need to be fitted with safety catches so that they don't slam shut on tiny fingers or lock if a child climbs into them. Ventilation holes are also a good idea just in case a child decides to hide in one! Inspect the edges and corners to make sure they are smooth and do not have sharp places to cause damage.
Many children's toys and music players that make sounds have volume controls and it's important not to have this set too loud. Loud noise can do permanent damage to the hearing of a child especially if he uses a music player with in-ear head phones. Make sure your child knows as soon as he is old enough to understand not to use a toy or player at full volume.
Toddlers love pull toys but they can have special hazards that we must be aware of. Cords can be easily wound around a child's neck so never let him play with a pull toy without adult supervision. Some pull toys have a mechanism to automatically retract the cord and this is a good idea as long as it is working properly. If the mechanism is broken and the cord does not retract properly cutting off the cord is safer. Your child can still play with his toy by pushing it around!
For parents who have children in different age groups it is important to be aware of the hazards that toys made for older children can have for their younger siblings. Some toys have small parts that a baby or toddler may put in their mouth or even in their ears! Check the manufacturers guidelines for the appropriateness of a toy for your child's age and warn older children not to allow their younger brothers and sisters to play with their toys.
If your child has stuffed toys that contain batteries to make sounds or lights make sure they don't take them into a bath or pool as, not only will it damage the toy, but it may be hazardous for the child. Water damages the battery which can leak. All toys that contain batteries should not be exposed to water.
It is important to be aware of the safety issues that can arise with different types of toys and always be on the look out for things that can compromise our children's safety.
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