Kids are counting down the days until school’s out so they can spend their summer playing outside all day long. But, as kids are spending more time doing what they love most (playing with toys, of course!), it’s crucial for parents to know how to keep them safe. From shopping at the toy store to seeking out used toy treasures at yard sales, parents just want to give their kids a safe, fun experience.
I caught up with Joan Lawrence, Toy Safety Mom, from The Toy Association to talk about the best ways to make sure kids stay safe this summer—and maximize the smiles all year long!
Q: What does it mean to be a “Toy Safety Mom”?
JL: As The Toy Association’s resident “Toy Safety Mom,” I work day-in and day-out to educate parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles (basically, anybody in a caregiving role!) about the importance of choosing appropriate toys for kids and safe, supervised play. My official title—senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs at The Toy Association—means that I work with pediatricians, scientists, government officials, child development experts, and other safety experts to develop, review, and revise our country’s strict toy safety standards. I’m also a mom of 3 kids myself, making children’s product safety much more than just a job—it’s my passion!
Q: Where can we find the best toy safety tips and information?
JL: All toys sold in the U.S. must adhere to tough federal safety standards, but there are things parents and caregivers can do to keep their kids safe while they play.
Check out www.PlaySafe.org for a ton of toy and play safety tips—including guidance for choosing age-appropriate toys, outdoor play safety tips, advice for new parents, and everything else a parent or caregiver needs to know to make sure that their kids are having fun and staying safe during playtime.
Q: When it comes to toy safety, where are parents missing the mark?
JL: Parents will always read through the instructions before installing a car seat, but when it comes to toys, they often ignore instructions because they just assume that they “know” how to play. And while playing does come quite naturally to kids and parents alike, a toy’s packaging and instructions should never be ignored.
The age-grading on a toy or game is particularly crucial. I cannot overstress the importance of making sure a toy is age-appropriate for the child who is about to play with it. It’s especially important to be aware of the “3+” age label on toys. Most of these playthings are not recommended for children under age 3 (or those who still mouth toys) because they come with small parts that a toddler or infant may choke on.
I often tell parents that age-grading has nothing to do with how smart a child is—it’s based on the physical and developmental abilities of children at a given age and a toy’s specific features. If your child is too young for a toy they get from a well-meaning family member, it’s a good idea to set it aside until they’re old enough to play with it safely.
Q. OK, so we’ve picked out the right toy… Now what?
JL: When your child gets a new toy, read the instructions together, then get down on the floor with them and have some fun! This is a great opportunity to show them how to safely and properly play with their toy. Once they are comfortable playing on their own you can take a step back, but never leave them unsupervised.
Every so often, sort through the toy box and get rid of broken toys, worn toys, or toys with missing parts.
For toys that use batteries, you’ll also want to make sure that the batteries are securely enclosed in their compartments so that kids can’t access them. Keep old or extra batteries far away from children too, because they can be very dangerous if accidentally swallowed.
Finally, keep a separate toy box for older kids whose toys might have small parts. I know it’s challenging to keep toys for different ages separate, so consider getting an older child to help with making sure their toys are kept out of a younger child’s reach. They’ll love having the shared responsibility of keeping their little brother or sister safe!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It’s springtime, which means that garage sale season is almost here. Durable and timeless toys like building blocks, board games, and dolls are generally great finds at garage sales, but you should never sacrifice safety and quality for bargain-bin prices.
Second-hand toys should be only slightly or lightly used—never broken or falling apart. And although recalls are rare, you’ll want to make sure that the toy you’re considering buying hasn’t been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (visit recalls.gov to search for the toy or game at hand).
When in doubt, always shop at a retailer you know and trust. The toy industry works year-round to ensure that all toys on store shelves are reliable and safe!
Laurie Schacht, also known as The Toy Insider Mom, has covered the toy industry for more than 20 years. The Toy Insider is a year-round resource for parents, grandparents and other gift-givers looking for the best toys for their kids. The Toy Insider also produces an annual holiday gift guide featured in Family Circle magazine. Visit thetoyinsider.com for the latest toy news, reviews, giveaways, and more.
Follow Laurie Schacht on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ToyInsiderMom