Are you shopping for a child's toy this season? Choosing toys this holiday season may be harder than you think. Some toys may even be dangerous for a child. Gayle Nelson, RN, talks about safe and appropriate toys for children:
Were more toys recalled this year than usual?
Yes, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 61 toys that involved more than 25 million products in the United States during 2007. Because the Chinese-imported toys were identified as containing lead paint, many more toys were recalled this year than in the past.
What toys from China should shoppers be concerned about?
Any toy manufactured in China should be looked at with caution, especially if it's painted. For example, there was a recall of:
- 1.5 million Thomas the Tank Engine wooden train sets
- 1 million Easy Bake Ovens
- 400,000 stuffed fabric blocks because infants choked on the plastic film covering the toys
Even toys that seem to be very popular and common in the marketplace can be hazardous to children.
What problems does lead cause for a baby or toddler?
The problem with lead for babies and toddlers comes if they ingest it. If they pick the paint off and eat it or if they have contact with it and it gets into their body. The major problem associated with lead in children is damage to the brain and nervous system. It can cause behavior and learning problems, slowed growth--a variety of things. Fortunately, lead levels in U.S. children are at very low because of the close monitoring by our government.
If the box or tag says "Made in China," are there certain toys safe to purchase?
I'm sure there are some toys that are still safe, but it's a good idea to use caution and be sure that you become a label reader. Find out where the toy is manufactured and if it appears the toy is heavily painted or if it has a plastic film on it. It might be just a good rule of thumb to buy toys manufactured in the United States.
Aside from toy recalls this year, are there still rules people should follow when purchasing toys for children?
Definitely--I think anybody who buys a toy for a child should be a label reader. Most toys have labels that give age and safety recommendations, and you should use them as a guide. Select toys that suit the age and ability, skills, and interest of the child and make sure that the toys are well constructed. So if they have eyes, noses, or other small parts, make sure that they're tightly secured. And make sure, especially for children under the age of 8, to avoid toys that have sharp edges or points or can be used as projectiles.
How important is it to follow age-specific guidelines on toys?
I think that more than the age-specific guidelines, you need to know the developmental level of the child. So if you have a child that is more coordinated, perhaps, or the interest of the child is beyond what the age level recommends, you need to take that into consideration. But in general, the toy industry researches the safety of toys for particular age groups and they're very diligent about posting those kinds of guidelines.
When in doubt, what is the best message to give to anyone shopping for a child this season?
I think being a label reader, again, is a good idea. Follow the instructions if you're assembling a toy, keep toys that have small parts away from children who tend to put things in their mouths. Common sense is a good rule of thumb--just to avoid sharp items or projectiles. I don't think you want to take the fun out of giving a toy, but on the other hand, we have to make sure that the toys are going to be safe and appropriate for children as well as their younger siblings. So if there's a smaller child in the household, it may be a good idea to think about that before you buy a toy that has lots of little parts that a younger sibling could ingest .
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