Toy Safety: Gift Giving Guide

Most toy injuries are minor scrapes, cuts and bruises, but toys can also lead to serious injury and even death. Follow these tips to be sure your gift is as safe as it is fun:

• Choose age-appropriate toys. Toys are tested for safety and assigned an age rating, which you can find on the packaging. The recommended age lets you know if the toy is safe for a child and if it will match their interests and developmental stage. Keep in mind that age recommendations do not account for children with developmental differences.
• Avoid choking hazards. To prevent choking, choose toys that are larger than the child’s mouth. Measure soft toys by squishing them down as small as they will go. Also, use caution when giving toys with small parts. Stuffed animals may have button eyes that can come loose, and complex toys may have small pieces, which can become choking hazards if swallowed.
• Beware of sharp points and edges. Toys made of materials like wood or metal, or ones designed for older kids, may have sharper edges and points. Toys made of thin plastic can break down into sharp pieces over time. Always give toys that are age-appropriate. When regifting, examine toys for signs of wear and tear, and throw away any that appear to be damaged.
• Be cautious with battery-operated toys. Some electric games and toys use small, round button batteries that can cause serious injury or death if swallowed. Always keep button batteries up and out of reach of children and avoid toys where the batteries can easily come loose.
• Skip toys that make loud noises. Because they’re still developing, children’s ears are much more sensitive than an adult’s. Not only can loud noises be annoying, but they can also damage children’s hearing. Test toys to see how loud they are before giving them to a child, and avoid anything over 60 decibels.
• Save toys that fly or shoot for older kids. Flying toys can cause serious eye injuries, and small projectiles can be a choking hazard. Young children may also be tempted to shoot objects not meant for the toy, such as pencils or nails. Teach older children to wear safety glasses when using flying toys and to only use the projectile objects that came with the toy.
• Look out for toxic materials. Toys, such as paints, chemistry sets and hobby kits, may contain hazardous materials or harmful chemicals. Make sure the label on the toy says “nontoxic” and follow the recommended age for safe use. Also, look for the words “phthalate-free,” “PVC-free” and “BPA-free.” Avoid plastic toys with recycling codes #3, #6 and #7.

You’ve done your research, chosen an age-appropriate toy and now you’re ready to give it to your favorite kiddo! Follow these toy safety guidelines when gifting a new toy:

• Tidy as you go. Throw away things like packaging, ribbons and other choking hazards as soon as the child opens their gift. Keep an eye out for spare batteries and parts. Move these up and out of reach of children immediately to avoid choking and other serious injuries.
• Follow toy instructions and age recommendations. Always read the toy instructions and explain them to kids. Keep the instructions handy for future reference. Consider how much supervision or help children may need to use the toy safely.
• Store toys in a safe place. If you’re caring for more than one child, have a dedicated place for storing small toys, such as Legos, that only older children can access. Also, be sure to pick up toys off the floor, and put them away or out of reach when they are not being used. Do not leave toys in a bathtub or pool. Your child may be tempted to go back in for the toy, putting them at risk for injury or drowning.
• Check toys often for damage. Be on the lookout for signs of wear and tear that can lead to scrapes, cuts, splinters or choking hazards. Repair or discard any damaged items, like wooden toys that are splintering, stuffed animals with loose or broken eyes and noses, and metal toys that may be rusty or sharp. Also keep in mind that hand-me-down or vintage toys may have been painted with lead-based paint, which can be harmful to your child.
• Inspect toys for loose or missing batteries and magnets. When swallowed, batteries can cause severe acid burns inside your child’s esophagus, and magnets can stick together inside your child’s body. Both can lead to serious internal injury or death. Check toys often for loose battery compartments or magnetic pieces, and be sure to throw away any toys that allow batteries or magnets to be easily accessed by children.

When birthdays or other special occasions come around, kids may ask for a specific toy they’ve had their eye on. Even though they’re on the shelves and appealing to kids, some popular or trending toys may be unsafe for children. Others may require additional protective gear or supervision.

Here are some popular toys to look out for:

• Latex balloons. Latex balloons are the leading cause of choking deaths in children in the U.S. The latex material can stretch and stick to your child’s throat, blocking their airway. And the smooth, slippery texture makes it hard to remove the balloon from your child’s mouth or throat. Shiny foil balloons, called mylar balloons, are a safer option, but be sure to supervise your child with any type of balloon.
• Water beads. Children may be tempted to put these small, colorful beads in their mouths, noses and ears (or they may do so accidentally). Because they expand with water, these beads continue to grow inside the body, which can cause choking and other injuries—or even lead to death. They also tend to roll and scatter, winding up in places where curious hands may find them. For these reasons, we recommend avoiding water beads altogether.
• Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards and scooters. When giving a riding toy to a child, be sure they have the safety gear that goes with it, such as a kids helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. According to the National Safety Council, a group concerned with toy safety, kids (and adults) should wear a properly fitted bike helmet any time they’re on wheels, no matter the length of the ride.
• Electronics. To protect your child from online dangers, set boundaries and timelines for online activity. Be sure to put parental controls on digital devices before giving them to a child, and make supervision a priority.

How should a helmet fit?

To protect from severe head injuries, a helmet must be the right size and fit for your child, and it needs to match the activity they’re doing. Whether it’s a bike helmet, skateboard, baseball or even ski helmet, our experts have you covered with our guide to kids’ helmets.

Where can I find information on recalled toys?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission establishes guidelines to ensure products are safe, and they issue recalls when they find a problem. You can search for a specific toy or report a toy safety concern on their website. You can also sign up for email notices with the latest recall information.

Who do I call if I’m concerned my child swallowed something?

If your child is actively choking, call 911 immediately.

For hazardous substances such as water beads, call Poison Control at 800-222-1222 for guidance.

If your child has swallowed a button battery, get them to the nearest emergency room immediately and call Poison Control once you’re already on the way.

For more information on this topic, check out our pediatric surgeon’s guide to button battery injuries and how to prevent them.

If your child has an injury or is showing signs of illness, call your doctor or visit an urgent care center. If your child has a life-threatening injury or illness, is having trouble breathing or is unconscious, call 911 and/or visit an emergency department immediately.