When you have kids, there's nothing more important than safety for home. Whether you're looking for toddler games or activities for preschoolers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these safe-shopping tips:
Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
Small Parts – For children younger than age 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking. A good rule of thumb here is to allow nothing that could fit through a paper towel tube.
Magnets – For children under age 6, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can get hot enough to burn children.
To choose appropriate toys for children:
Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.
For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
More Safety for the Home
Once the gifts are open:
Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous playthings.
Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.
For more — including instant email notification of toy recalls — log on to www.cpsc.gov.
Source: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission