Toys are made to have fun, but often have terrible consequences when it comes to injuries. This is why, as parents and guardians, it’s ultimately our responsibility to be aware enough to know if particular ones are safe enough for our children to play with.
Statistics on the Safety of Toys
For many of us adults, the first image that may pop into our heads when we think about a child being hurt by a toy they’re playing with is a younger toddler, or kids who are maybe around kindergarten age. I mean, think about it – how many times do you think teachers and daycare workers have to tell children this age not to do things like eat glue and/or to take small toys out of their mouth? Probably dozens of times a week!
But, statistics show otherwise, that children who are teenagers are still frequently hurt by toys. For example, Safe Kids Worldwide found that hundreds of thousands of children who are all the way up to the age of 15 have to be regularly taken to the emergency room for injuries accrued from toys.
Good Toy-Buying Habits
You can have rules when it comes to toys without taking away from the fun and joy they bring, and it starts with what you do when you’re actually in the store buying them. For example, probably the easiest thing to do is to read the instructions and see if your child is old enough to have it.
You’d be surprised how many parents and guardians actually overlook that simple rule when purchasing new toys. Some also don’t consider how many small pieces are within a particular item, which are potential choking hazards.
The American Academy of Pediatrics points out what the safest toys are for young children, which are stuffed animals and solid toys that are made of hard plastic. They also urge parents and guardians to remember to be very particular when purchasing items that children will have with them in their cribs, being that some can be dangerous and cause suffocation or may strangle a child.
Visit Our Store Today for Fun, Safe Toys
If you have any questions about a certain toy’s safety, then please, never hesitate to ask us for advice when you visit us at Toys n More. We’re always here to help, so feel free to contact us today!