National Safe Toys & Gifts Month: Learn About Age-Appropriate Presents

December is the National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. It’s reported that over 217,000 children are sent to hospitals over toy-related injuries. With the holidays coming around the corner, many parents are wondering what safe gifts they want to buy for their young children. You may be wondering what gifts are safe to purchase for my children?

While it may be easy to identify dangerous toys, not all hazards are easily noticeable. Inspect the toys before you buy them. Check to see if they are age-appropriate, and won’t bring harm to a child.

Hazardous Toys and Their Dangers

Magnets
Play sets or toys with high-powered magnets should be kept away from children. They are dangerous for small children, who may put small objects in their mouths. Avoid purchasing any toys with a high-powered magnet.
Could pose a choking hazard.
Can lead to serious injury or death if ingested.
Balloons
Balloons are known to cause suffocation, as well as choking accidents for children.
Keep balloons away from children under the age of 8.
Discard broken, or deflated balloons.
Riding Toys
Purchasing scooters or bikes can lead to falling-related accidents.
Use training wheels if necessary.
Ensure the use of proper safety gear such as helmets, knee pads, and gloves.
Be sure to find the appropriate size for the child’s age.
Rope and Cords
Ropes and cords can easily cause suffocation and eye-related injuries.
Open or broken electrical cords can shock, or electrocute children.
Paint
Young infants may mouth their toys, so the paint should be lead-free.
Art materials or toys should be non-toxic

Inspect Your Toys

Parents should always inspect the toys they plan to buy for their children. Search for anything that could easily be broken. Parts that may have sharp edges, rigid points, or spikes. Avoid giving children toys with small parts that could break or fly off. Be sure to check the age, and skill level listed on toy labels. Ensure there are no parts that could pinch your child’s fingers. Any toys that can shoot objects in the air should be avoided. Look for toys with natural materials like cotton, or wood. Fabrics should have tags that indicate if they are fire-resistant or not. Any hand-me-down toys should be heavily inspected. Do not give your children any toys made before 1978. Check to see if any toys have been recalled on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website.

Labels to Look Out For

Keep an eye out for any labels that list hazards that might cause harm to your child. Choking hazard labels will list why the toy may not be suitable for children under certain ages. Find crayons with the “non-toxic” label on them. Some labels will indicate if certain toys aren’t suitable for children under the ages of 3. Look for the American Society for Testing and Material Standards(ASTM) label on toys.

What Are Age-Appropriate Gifts For Children?

Finding the right toys for your children can be a struggle, but this article may help you easily pick out the perfect, as well as safe, gifts for your kids during the holiday season. You must first keep in mind the child’s physical and mental ability to play with the toy. This section will give you a list of great age-appropriate toys for the age of your child.

1-2-Year-Olds
Stuffed toys, that are washable, are perfect gifts for 1-year-olds.
Building blocks help infants engage with their eyes, hands, and mouth.
Picture book with simple illustrations or real photos.
Toys with dials, switches, and knobs.
3-4-Year-Olds
Puzzles help children with their problem-solving skills.
Safe educational toys to help children advance their learning skills at an early age.
Dolls, as well as stuffed animals, allow children to dress up and accessorize their toys, allowing their imagination to run wild.
Safe building sets allow a child to build more complex structures within the boundaries of safety, and supervision.
5-6-Year-Olds
Prop toys are a great way to encourage imagination and make-believe play. Play phones, toy kitchens, and tea party sets can make for great gifts.
Basketballs and soccer balls are good to promote outdoor activities, and exercise.
Arts and crafts kits with the “non-toxic” label.
7-8-Year-Olds
Board games allow children to play competitively and teach children how to strategize.
More complex art kits with complex tools.

Keeping Kids Safe At Home

To ensure your child’s safety, you’ll want to take extra precautions at home. Keeping younger children away from toys meant for older kids is the first step to take when ensuring safety. Secondly, keep toys meant for younger children separated from toys meant for older children. Routinely check to see if younger children's toys were mixed with older children’s toys. Thirdly, toys that aren’t being used should be stored away.

A toy box is a great place to put toys away when playtime is over. Toy boxes should have holes or have lid support to prevent head injury, pinched fingers, and suffocation. As children get older, teach them to organize and put away their toys. This can help further their education, and prevent falls in the future. Remember to reinforce rules, and supervise your children as they play.

Remember to read the packaging for instructions and warnings. Demonstrate how to use the toy safely, and Keep toys away from areas that could be used to climb up onto dangerous areas of the house. Remove any small ribbons, strings, or small objects that could cause suffocation. Anything wooden should be sealed, and splinter-free. Toys mouthed by infants should be disinfected and washed. Children should not play with any type of plastic bag, as that could lead to suffocation. Keep all balloons and plastic bags stored away, and out of reach. Do not let your children play with safety pins, coins, or other small objects they could choke on. Keep anything that could melt, or be considered flammable, away from vents or heaters.