Toy Safety

Every year in Australia, and all over the world, toys are responsible for thousands of accidents so it is important to take care when purchasing new toys and when leaving toys lying all around your house.

Because of the strict regulations imposed on toy manufacturers, the safety of toys themselves are not usually the major issue or problem. In fact, the bulk of accidents take place when toys are left lying around the home and when young kids have access to toys designed for older children.

When purchasing a toy you should always ensure that the baby or toddler carries a CE or Lion Mark, both of which imply toy quality and its adherence to toy safety regulations. It is worthwhile to be aware that if a toy does not carry one of these special mark stamps, it may possibly be designed as a novelty toy and possibly will not be safe for children. In addition, 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 little, detachable pieces before giving to your children (especially those under 3)

·         On no account give babies under the age of 3 balloons, small balls or marbles or anything else they could put into their mouths

·         Ensure 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

·         Ensure children use the correct safety equipment when on a bike, skateboard or roller skates

·         Frequently test the condition of your children's toys and get rid of any showing signs of wear and tear

·         Make sure older children tidy up their toys away after use as falling over toys is one of the most frequent household accidents

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

If you take 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 lowered significantly.