Dangerous Infant Toys
Baby toys can be entertaining and educational, but in some cases they can be dangerous. Babies naturally put everything in their mouths, so toys have to be free of small parts and toxic substances. Babies should always be supervised when playing with any toys.
Other People Are Reading
-
Small Parts
-
Toys with small parts may pose a choking hazard to infants. Such toys may include toy vehicles with small wheels, dolls with small accessories and crib toys. According to BabiesToday.com, toys containing magnets are particularly dangerous because babies can choke on the magnets or the magnets can obstruct the intestines if swallowed. Also, worn toys with lose parts or dangling tags may be dangerous for infants. Dr. Greene, a renowned pediatrician, asserts that balloons cause more deaths than any other toy with small parts because infants and young children can choke on a deflated balloon or rubber fragments when a balloon pops.
Sharp Edges
-
Toys with sharp edges can cut a baby's delicate skin or even damage his eyes if the toy comes in contact with his eyes. Parents should carefully examine all infant toys for any sharp or pointy edges before giving them to a baby.
-
Toxic Materials
-
Babies should never be given toys with lead-based paint. Toys are often recalled because of lead paint violations. Excessive exposure to lead paint can cause learning and behavioral disabilities. Thrift stores and secondhand stores are prohibited from selling any recalled toys and many older toys because they may contain dangerous levels of lead. Guidelines for thrift stores and secondhand stores can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website (see Resources).
Strangulation
-
Toys with cords, ribbons or strings that are longer than 6 inches can be dangerous if they get wrapped around an infant's neck because babies can be strangled by them. Parents should check toys to ensure that cords and other toy attachments are shorter than 6 inches, according to Parents.com.
Considerations
-
Parents should always monitor infants and toddlers when they are playing with toys. Even seemingly safe toys may pose risks. Before allowing an infant to play with any toy, parents should check for loose parts such as wheels or eyes on stuffed animals. Also, parents should check to see if any painted toy has chipped paint. Infants should not play with toys that have painted surfaces that may be consumed by the infant.
Recalls and Regulations
-
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission may recall toys after receiving complaints about a toy's safety. In 2010, some examples of toy recalls include books recalled for choking hazard, pull toys recalled for possible strangulation risks and toy trucks, stuffed toys, rattles and crib toys all recalled because their small parts pose a choking risk.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit toys image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
