| Don't Play with Toy Safety |
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With not many shopping days to Christmas left, the avalanche of toy store brochures in the letterbox and saturation advertising on television means that it’s time to fire up the credit card and go shopping.
Frighteningly all too often, Christmas tragedies associated with new toys, bikes and play equipment appear on the news. While fatalities may be rare, injuries caused by the inexperience of the new owner or toy parts breaking off are far more common.
During the three year period from January 1999 to December 2001, the Victorian Surveillance Injury and Applied Research Unit reports that in Victoria alone there were 365 cases of toy related injury to children aged 0-2 years. This is likely to be an underestimation as these represent the figures where a toy was specifically mentioned in emergency department presentations.
Specific injuries caused by toys Jan 99 - Dec 01
Most of these injuries occurred at home and most were associated with falls or being struck by or colliding with a toy.
11% toy boxes
10% ride-on toys such as tricycles and bikes
9% balls
7% with transport toys (cars, planes, trucks etc.)
6% with crayons, chalk or textas
Of the injuries presented, 10% were caused by foreign bodies in the nose, which just goes to prove that children love poking things up their noses
According to Kidsafe, the Child Accident Prevention Foundation, injuries occur where the toy is:
- inherently dangerous, eg explosive or projectile toys
- badly made with poor construction leading to breakage during normal play
- dangerous in design, eg has sharp edges, small parts which are choking hazards or have the potential to pinch or crush
- designed for an older child but played with by someone younger
- used incorrectly or for other than the purpose for which it was designed
General things to consider when buying toys
1. Age appropriateness
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Be realistic and aware of children’s individual level of interest and maturity.
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The words ‘not recommended for under 3’ specifically refers to choking hazards, not age ability. If your child is over the age of three and still puts everything in their mouth, err on the side of caution when purchasing toys, which contain small parts.
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Toys purchased for older siblings should be kept out of the reach of younger children.
2. Read the Labels
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The Australian Toy Standard (AS/NZ 8124) has been established by Standards Australia, a Federal Government Commission and all participants in the industry are required to adhere to what are generally voluntary standards. The Australian Toy Association is represented on Toy Safety Committees of Standards Australia.
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Labels are a general guideline for toy selection and consider age, size, skill level and maturity of the child as well as the safety.
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Certain categories of toys have cautionary labels. These must be bold, legible, conspicuous and printed in contrast colour. This applies to such toys such as swim aids, chemistry sets and toys with sharp edges (eg toy knitting needle sets).
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Make sure stuffed animals and other plush toys are non-flammable.
3. Strings or Pull Cords
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Hanging mobiles should be removed from cots once your baby can sit up or pull himself up.
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Pull cords should be no longer than 30cm.
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Remove beads and knobs which can create a strangulation risk if wrapped inadvertently around a child’s neck.
4. Buy Quality Brands
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Like most things in life, well made items are usually more expensive but worth the expense in the longer run.
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In fabric toys, check that tails and ears etc are securely sewn and free of buttons, ribbons, bells or any other decorative feature that can be chewed or pulled off.
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Toys, especially for the under 3’s, should be solidly constructed, but not heavy.
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Toys should be free of small pieces that could break off, contain no sharp edges or points and non-toxic.
5. Ride-ons
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If a larger ride on toy is too heavy or easily unbalanced, wait until your child is older as injuries can occur if they fall off or the toy upends on them.
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Bikes should be fitted to your child’s height. They should be able to touch the ground with one foot while seated in the saddle. Handbrakes need to be adjusted to their grip. This may require some creative conversation in the bike shop for those who believe in Santa!
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Toy bikes should have effective brakesw which can be applied by the rider.
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Insist that children wear a helmet from a young age, even on a tricycle.
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Buy the protective gear for in-line skates and scooters.
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Don’t allow children to ride around stairs, driveways or swimming pools.
6. Noisy Toys
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Be wary of toys that make loud noises, as they can be harmful to hearing, particularly toys which are held against the ear, such as walkie-talkies and toy mobile phones. If you have to raise your voice to be heard over a toy, it is too loud.
The Unwrapped Toy
Once presents are opened and toys and wrapping paper are strewn around, watch out for the following:
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Plastic bags and bubble wrap (suffocation hazard)
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Plastic covered wire used to secure toys within boxes (cutting, stabbing hazard)
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Foam or polystyrene packaging (choking hazard)
Store toys on low shelves or in baskets.
If you use a toy box, make sure it has a hinged lid that stays in place and will not fall when opened, or a light-weight removable lid. The box should also have ventilation holes, or an opening between the cover and the sides. Arrange safe places to play. Children and adults falling over or on top of scattered toys is the most common form of injury associated with toys. Keep toys off walkways or stairs.
Check toys at least every three months to determine their safety and playability. Make any repairs or throw out damaged toys immediately. While toys that are new may be safe, older toys may become brittle over time and use and may break. Never leave toys outside at night as rain and dew cause rust damage that increases the risk of injuries.
Pre-loved toys should be checked thoroughly for wear and tear before use. This applies also when buying toys from second hand shops or markets.
Faulty toys should always be returned to the retailer and as always with children, there is no substitute for parental supervision.
For further information:
Australian Toy Association –
www.austoy.com.au Kidsafe –
www.kidsafe.com.au Consumer Affairs (Safe Toys for Kids Guide) -
www.consumer.gov.au/html/pdf/safetoys.pdf
This article first appeared in
Australian Family, Spring 2003
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