We have all heard the familiar horror stories of kids who have been injured while playing with their toys. The most common injuries generally involve toys with lead-based paint, swallowing small objects, and sharp edges.

The year 2007 was a particularly bad year for toy safety standards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a record number of product recalls on toys, numbering 138. As of mid-November of this year, this number is down to 74 recalls. The biggest culprit for recalls continues to be products containing lead-based paint, which can cause brain damage in children.

There are some simple rules to follow when purchasing toys:

1. Buy toys appropriate for the child’s age- most toys are labelled with an age range which helps you to determine when a gift may be too mature for the child you are buying for.

2. Heed the warnings on the packaging- many toys have warnings regarding safety hazards; for instance, “may contain small parts” or “choking hazard”. Reading the packaging may help to avert disaster!

3. When buying for an older child, include the necessary safety equipment- Buying a skateboard for your nephew? Include a helmet and shin pads. Parents will thank you!

4. When buying for small children, inspect the toy before giving it to them- once the toy is unwrapped, check for slivers, loose parts, and sharp edges that may cause injury.

5. Avoid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and vinyl-look for the number 3 on the bottom, inside the recycling symbol.

Christmas should be a time of joy, and no one wants to give a gift that sends the recipient to the hospital! Employ common sense and choose wisely.

Related Links:

Toy Hazard Recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Toy Safety: Choosing Safe Toys