I have a long list of children to buy gifts for this holiday season. What safety concerns should I consider when purchasing toys?
Marissa G. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and our toy safety expert Sharon Vinderine from PTPA, answered;
It's toy shopping time, the most dreaded time of year. You walk through the aisles trying to remember if Debbie’s daughter likes Dora or Kevin's son likes Lego or wait, did you already buy him Lego last year? Well, just to throw a wrench into what was already a difficult process, I now want you to consider safety while choosing just the right toy.
With all of the recalls over the last few years, it seems a toy would have to be made in a bubble for it to be safe. While that might be extreme, we’ve compiled what we think are some of the best safety tips to consider when purchasing toys to make sure the recipients aren’t waiting in lineups at customer service to return your gift.
- Keep it age appropriate. The age stated on the package is not there because the marketing guys thought it looked pretty. It is a guideline that you should absolutely follow. If your child is two and the toy is for five to eight-year-olds, this toy is not for you, no matter how much of a genius your baby may be.
- Beware of potential toxicity. Non-toxic is not just for cleaning products. Check the hazard symbols on the package, if there are a bunch of skeletons and hazard symbols, you may want to opt for something that talks about being lead-free, and contains non-toxic materials.
- Avoid toys with long ribbons or strings. Toys do not have to have ribbons and strings to be fun! Save your sanity and buy toys that don’t require you to sit by your child while they are doing the activity to make sure that they don’t accidentally hang themselves (or their sibling).
- Opt for products that have certifications and/or awards. These symbols usually mean that the product has undergone some testing by third parties and if they have earned a “seal of approval”, it is usually a good sign.
- Quality is key! If you are going to spend money, spend it on something that is going to last. It’s pretty easy to tell if something is made well by how durable it is and the materials used in the parts. Spend a couple of extra dollars if it will make the difference between a toy lasting a week or a few years.
Although not a safety tip, try to buy items that have minimal parts. As responsible as we train our kids to be, inevitably things get lost under the couch, in the dog's mouth or in the dishwasher (or is that just in my house?) and then the game is rendered obsolete. If you do opt for something with many pieces, grab a Tupperware or Ziploc for storing the pieces. It’s an effective way to reduce the amount of space the game takes up in your cupboards, but also a great way to keep track of the pieces.
Happy shopping!
Sharon Vinderine is the Founder and President of PTPA. PTPA provides an objective means to discover, appraise and promote new products designed to enrich family living. PTPA provides a platform for companies to introduce their products for evaluation and feedback from the experts that matter most: parents!
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