Children's toys can sometimes become dangerous objects. Taking toy safety measures for your child can help to prevent risks. Here is a guide to keeping your child safe from his toys.
In the olden days, children's toys were often hand-me-downs from their older siblings. A child had a solitary doll or stuffed animal that satisfied his playing needs. Today, children have a lot more toys at their disposal. This is due to rising incomes and the emergence of toys as an industry.
Children are naturally curious and love to explore their world, including their toys. This makes toy safety an important priority. There are many cases of children accidentally ingesting parts of their toys and choking on them. However, swallowing toy parts is not the only concern. Toys can be unsafe in many other ways.
Stuffed animals
Teddy bears and other stuffed animals may appear cute and cuddly but can also be deadly. Large teddy bears are heavy and can suffocate a baby or toddler if it is placed on top of him. To prevent this, avoid keeping stuffed animals in your child's crib while he is sleeping.
Stuffed animals often have plastic parts for the nose, eyes, etc. Any of these parts can pose a choking hazard to your child if he bites it off. Check stuffed animals regularly for loose parts and get them fixed immediately. In addition, monitor your child's handling of the toy itself to ensure that he does not swallow any parts.
String toys
String toys refer to those toys that are controlled by string. This includes yo-yos, push and pull animals, etc. In most of the toys, the string is made of a synthetic fabric such as nylon. This string is tough and does not break easily. If it is more than a foot long, a curious toddler can easily wrap it around his neck and strangle himself.
Dolls and cars
Children are notorious for trying to take their toys apart. While this trait may appear adorable, it is also dangerous. Many toys have small components that are glued on to them. Through your child's rough handling of his toys, these parts are likely to become loose and come off. If you are not vigilant, your child may swallow these parts and choke on them.
Small parts include doll accessories like shoes, bags, etc. It also includes parts of the doll itself such as the head, hands, and feet. Your child can easily pull them off and stick them into his mouth. For toy vehicles like small cars and trucks, the wheels are the most common culprits. Swallowing parts is not restricted to infants. Children as old as five have been known to choke on their toys. Ideally, you should keep these types of toys away from your child until after he has passed his chewing stage.
Batteries and magnets
Many toys are battery driven. If the cover for the battery container is not properly secured, it is possible for your child to take out the batteries. Small batteries can be swallowed easily. Batteries are acidic in nature, so their contents can cause burns, in addition to being a choking hazard.
Toys with small magnets in them can also be a health problem if swallowed. Magnets do not pass through the digestive system but remain in the intestine. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the combined magnetic forces twist and pull at the intestines. In addition, the magnets can only be removed from the body by surgery.
Scooters and cycles
Tricycles, scooters, and cycles are not hazardous but can be involved in nasty accidents. When your child wants to rides his cycle, take him to a place with a flat surface. Choose a location that is relatively free from obstacles like parked cars and people moving about. In addition, invest in good-quality safety gear like helmets, elbow and knee pads, etc. If your child is not yet able to balance himself on two wheels, attach smaller training wheels on both sides of the rear wheel.
Protecting your child from accidents involving his toys is an important task. Constant supervision is the key to keeping your child safe from harm.
Do you think children have too many toys nowadays? How dangerous are the toys available in the market? Do you watch over your child while he plays? To share your tips views and experiences,click here.
