Sunday, June 15, 2008

How To Buy Safe Toys For Children

by Jeff Carlisle

Buying toys for your children can be difficult because all too often toys contain small pieces, breakable parts, or have sharp edges. But there are ways to cut down on the number of unsafe toys that you bring into your home. Educating yourself about toy safety will help you make better decisions about which toys you should let your children play with. You should pay particular attention to baby toys as your baby can become seriously injured when playing with unsafe toys. As your child grows, they will be able to play with more toys and avoid injury.

There are many different types of toys on the market today. Just because developmental toys are meant to educate and help your child learn does not mean they are safe. You should always inspect a toy after bringing it home or when you are thinking about purchasing it at the store. Pieces that can be swallowed, packaging that can cause suffocation, and wires that stick out are not toys that you want your child to play with. Find soft toys for babies, and toys that have large pieces for toddles. Toddler toys should be put away after use especially if there are other children that could hurt themselves. Buying a toy chest will help keep clutter to a minimum.

If you are unsure about the age limit of a particular toy, you should call the toy manufacturers to see what they have to say about it. Many toys have age restrictions on the boxes, but some do not. Use your best judgment when choosing these types of toys. The same goes for bath toys and infant toys. Once you have found a toy company that manufactures safe toys for children, you should continue to purchase toys from the company until your child grows out of them. Ride on toys should always be used under supervision so that your child does not suffer any injuries.

Other toys that involve movement include inflatable bouncer, jumpers, and other preschool toys. These toys should only be used by one child at a time and should not be used unless a parent is present. Children can fall off these toys and injure themselves. As with most toys, you should limit the amount of time that a child can use the toy. This will also reduce injury. Keeping your child safe is your first priority as a parent. If a toy seems unsafe, then it probably is.

Children's playhouses and toddler beds should be constructed with care using the correct tools. If a playhouse is not constructed correctly, then it could collapse and cause injury. The same goes for toddler beds. You should read all of the instructions before building these items.

About the Author
Jeff Carlisle is a freelance editor for Little Tikes Coupons. Read more and find great deals and discounts on Little Tikes Coupons products at http://www.CouponCart.com/LittleTikes/index.aspx.

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