toy safety

NOTEWORTHY ~~WEDNESDAY!~~ FRIDAY!

This has been a short week for me…due to a migraine headache that just will not go away.

I have however found a wonderful post about toddler toys that pose a danger to a younger child. There are some GREAT responses from moms that have dealt with this issue very efficiently.

A happy holiday is also a safe holiday.

Now that my younger child is mobile, Im looking for ways to keep his 4-year-old brothers small toys such as Legos out of his reach. I want my older son to be able to play with his things around the rest of the family and not be banished to another room, but Im also worried about the baby choking on these toys. What can I do?

via My 4-year-olds toys are dangerous for babies. How can I keep our baby safe without banishing his brother? | BabyCenter.

Noteworthy Wednesday!!!

I want to post this directly from the March of Dimes as toy safety can be a problem after the holidays especially when your children receive gifts from family and friends that may mean well but do not do the research as to what is appropriate for what age child.

News Moms Need is a wonderful reference site.

toys The holiday season is winding down and the kiddies have new things to play with. If you’re like me, you might not have read every inch of the instructions before assembling that toddler-sized tricycle or push toy. But they do serve a purpose when it comes to ensuring the safety of our children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has some good tips on toy safety that I thought I’d share:
• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
• Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.
• To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
• Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
• Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems – including death — after swallowing button batteries and magnets. Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.
• Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.
• Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
• Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children.

Tags: instructions, protecting children, toy safety, toys