Toy Tips

Choose safe toys.

• Before shopping for toys, consider the child’s age, interest and skill level.

• When shopping, read labels. Look for well-made toys and follow the age and safety information on the warning labels.

• Consider purchasing a small parts tester to determine whether or not small toys and objects in your home may present a choking hazard to young children.

Inspect all toys regularly for potential hazards.

• Check regularly for damage that could create small pieces that are choking hazards.

• Make any necessary repairs immediately or discard damaged toys out of children’s reach.

Watch for toys that can become hazards.

• Young children should never play with toys with strings or cords, which can accidentally strangle them.

• Electrical toys are a potential burn hazard. Children under age 8 should not use toys with electrical plugs or batteries.

Supervise children when they play and set good examples of safe play.

• Actively supervise children when they are playing with riding toys and any toy that has small balls and small parts, magnets, electrical or battery power, cords, wheels or any other potential hazard.

• Active supervision means keeping the child in sight and in reach while paying undivided attention.

Ensure that toys are used in a safe environment.

• Riding toys should not be used near stairs, traffic or swimming pools. Riding toy-related deaths can occur when a child falls from a toy or rides a toy into a body of water.

• Always supervise children at play. Play is even more valuable when adults become involved and interact with children rather than supervising from a distance.

Make sure toys are stored safely.

• Teach children to put toys away after playing. Ensure that toys intended for younger children are stored separately from those for older children.

• Make sure toy chests have no lids or have safety hinges.

Sign up to receive product recalls with the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.

• Return warranty and product registration forms for new toy purchases to the manufacturers to make sure that you are notified of any recalls.