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Department of Justice and Community Safety

BEFORE BUYING A TOY

 

10 things you shoud know

  • Check for sharp edges or rough surfaces as they can cause cuts and splinters.
  • Buy washable, non-breakable toys for babies. Anything small enough to fit into a 35mm film canister can choke a child under three years old.
  • Toy chests and boxes should be designed not to close on top of children, or better still with a removable lid. Anything big enough to crawl inside must have ventilation holes.
  • Read the age labelling on new toys. "Not suitable for children aged under three" means that there are small parts which could be swallowed; it is not an indication of skill level or intelligence.
  • Check toys regularly for loose parts which may be choking dangers.
  • Check that there are no gaps or holes which could entrap a child's fingers.
  • If buying a projectile toy, only choose ones that have soft, one-piece darts or non-removable suction caps.
  • 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.
  • Check for ventilation before buying tents, masks, helmets etc.
  • Ensure that ride-on toys are appropriate to the age of the child and are stable. Toy bikes should have effective brakes which can be applied by the rider.