There
is nothing better than spoiling your little toddler with toys. However,
disaster strikes when the toy you have purchased is neither suitable nor safe
for your young one. Thus, to ensure that that is not the case you need to be
aware of some key things before purchasing your toys. This article will provide
you with guidance and tips for buying safe toddler toys.
First
and foremost, the most important thing you should do is check the toy specifications
to see the age range recommended by the manufacturer. If the toy states “not
suitable for anyone under the age of five” then that is exactly what it means.
Professionals have made these judgements and the safety warning regarding age
is there for a reason. So make sure you stick to the age restrictions provided.
In
addition to this you should also make sure that the toy you are considering
does not have any small parts which are easily detachable. For instance, if you
are considering buying your little girl a doll house then make sure you opt for
one with big dolls rather than miniature dolls and miniature furniture. You
need to do this in order to ensure that there is no risk of your child
attempting to swallow any small pieces, as this presents a serious risk of
choking. Remember, you do not only need to be aware of removable pieces, but
also toys which have elements such as buttons which could easily fall off.
Furthermore,
you also need to stray away from any toys that have strangulation hazards. This
could be anything from the likes of strings to cord.
Nevertheless,
it is not only the toys you need to be mindful about but also the packaging
they come in. Make sure you throw any rubbish or packaging in the bin
immediately. I have already mentioned the hazard surrounding things such as
string, which may have been used to keep the toys together. But other elements,
such as plastic bags, are also extremely dangerous because they provide a risk
of suffocation.
Finally,
make sure that you wash any toy you buy before you let your toddler play with
it. Simply use soap and water to do so. After all, you do not know what the toy
has come in contact with whilst it has been stored in a warehouse, and thus it
is always best to be safe rather than sorry.
The advice given in this article is not meant to scare you nor worry
you. If you stick to the age restrictions given with each toy then you should
be fine, because manufactures will factor in all the other points mentioned in
this article. Nevertheless, it is best to be aware of the dangers out there so
that you are best equipped to deal with them. At the end of day, a lot of them
are merely to do with common sense, so you should be just fine.
