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Toy Safety UK

Toy Safety UK

Hi I’m Farah from Daisy First Aid Haringey and Walthamstow

We’re staying home, we have our littlest children to engage and entertain, out come the toys!

But how can we ensure that playtime is safe, and we have done everything we can to avoid injury to our little ones (without dampening the fun!)?  Here we discuss some of the hazards to be aware of and how to reduce risk so your baby or child can have a safe and happy playtime.

Choking hazards

I have a 19 month old and a three year old, so this is probably one of the first things I think about when I set my boys up for some playtime.  Babies and young children are curious and often put things in their mouth to explore them (my littlest is no exception).  However, it is important to be aware that some toys have small parts which pose a choking risk if a child was to put them in their mouth.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of choking:

  1. Give your child age-appropriate toys to play with and nothing marked suitable for older than they are.  Most toys marked unsuitable for ages 0-3  are marked this way due to the risk of choking on small parts.

  2. If you have children of different ages, be careful of where you store any toys for your older child which are only appropriate for them.  When they do play with these toys, have it be in a separate area from your younger child (I know this isn’t easy!) or when they are napping.

  3. Be especially careful with homemade toys and crafts (we have more than the usual amount here at the moment!!).  Are there small parts that could fall off and become a choking hazard for your little one (pom poms, buttons etc)?  Store them safely and avoid letting babies play with them if there are elements that could become loose.

  4. Avoid letting your small child play with toys which have loose fabric or hair that sheds easily which they could then put in their mouth.

Button batteries

If swallowed, button batteries pose a serious risk of life-threatening injuries.  Fortunately, if they are in toys intended for children which have been safety-checked and regulated, they will most likely be secured away.  For this reason, and for general safety, it is a good idea to make sure your child’s toys are safety checked and from a reputable manufacturer.  Follow these steps to avoid injury from button batteries:

  1. Know which toys have the batteries in and inspect them regularly to make sure they are still securely locked away, no signs of wear.

  2. Never let your child play with anything not specifically intended for children’s play, which runs on button batteries (e.g. musical cards, key fobs, watches). They may be able to easily access the battery and the product will not have been safety checked for use as a toy.

  3. Store any spare toy batteries up high and out of reach, or not at all.

 

Strings and cords

Strings, cords and ribbons pose a risk of strangulation.  You might find these on pull-along toys, or children’s costumes and masks. If your child has a toy with a string or cord that could pose a risk, make sure they only play under close supervision and never let them sleep with the toy as they may become entangled.

Here are some other things to look out for to make for safe and happy playtimes:

  1. Look for the CE symbol on toys to tell you they have been made to meet certain European safety regulations.  You can also look for the voluntary British Toy and Hobby Association’s (BTHA) “Lion Mark”, which tells you that the toy meets the statutory safety requirements.

  2. Look out for signs of damage or wear on toys which could make them hazardous, e.g. parts falling off, sharp edges etc. Discard if hazardous.

  3. Tidy up after playtime to avoid tripping hazards around the home, especially around the stairs.

  4. Be aware of hazardous toys which might come home in a party bag.  If necessary, inspect and remove anything dangerous before giving to your child to play with. This could include choking hazards and small light-up toys containing a button battery.

Finally, always supervise your baby when they are playing with toys to make sure they are safe and happy.  Have fun with them!

We hope you found this helpful, Happy playing!

Farah
Daisy First Aid Haringey and Walthamstow areas
farah@daisyfirstaid.com
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