| Every year there's a story in the news about | | | | need to be made with lead-free paint. The |
| toddlers who were injured while playing with | | | | dangers of lead ingestion for small children |
| the latest, greatest toy of the season. Even | | | | are critical and lead to life-long damage. |
| when the toy is marked as suitable for | | | | Again, there are concerns with toys imported |
| children ages 3 or younger, the result is | | | | from China that do not meet the lead-free |
| disastrous. | | | | standards of American made toys. The Fisher |
| | | | Price Elmo Learning Fun Laptop is a safe, fun |
| As you can imagine, the parent or grandparent | | | | option for little ones! |
| who purchased the toy is devastated about | | | | |
| this accident. This year, there has been an | | | | 5. Crayons or finger-paints must be |
| onslaught of recalls for toddler toys. How | | | | non-toxic. Red paint looks as tasty to a |
| is a parent supposed to predict the danger | | | | toddler as red cake icing. Look on the label |
| and protect their child from unsafe toys they | | | | for this notation: ASTMD-4236. This verifies |
| might put under the Christmas tree? | | | | that the color product was approved by the |
| | | | American Society for Testing and Materials. |
| You can expect that anything in a toddler's | | | | |
| hand is eventually going into the mouth. No | | | | 6. Look inside any box or compartment of a |
| matter how carefully you supervise playtime, | | | | toy to make sure there are no smaller, |
| toddlers have slight of hand down to a fine | | | | unattached pieces. Anything small that can |
| art. Keep in mind these basic toddler toy | | | | fit inside a paper towel roll is a choking |
| shopping rules: | | | | hazard. |
| | | | |
| 1. If it's a soft toy, like a Sesame Street | | | | 7. If the toy makes a noise, make sure it has |
| Plush Toy, make sure it's washable. | | | | an "off" switch. That will help you remain |
| | | | friends with the parents who won't be |
| 2. Twist the eyes, buttons or any protruding | | | | thrilled waking up from a sound sleep to the |
| decorations to determine if they're securely | | | | sound of toy honking. |
| attached. Toy manufacturers are suppose to | | | | |
| use items that have specific safety | | | | Most important to remember is to stay within |
| attachments, but can you count on that with | | | | the recommended age guidelines. Your two year |
| all of the horror stories about imported | | | | old may be the next math genius, but his |
| toys? | | | | developmental age means he'll act like a two |
| | | | year old and place small parts in his mouth |
| 3. Fabric toys must be made with flame | | | | or have difficulty manipulating the objects |
| resistant or flame retardant fabrics. Check | | | | for a more advanced game. These guidelines |
| the label and if you don't see these terms, | | | | come from the Consumer Product Safety |
| don't buy it. | | | | Commission based on years of research and |
| | | | continued testing. Be a smart adult and |
| 4. Painted toys, whether plastic or wood, | | | | choose an age appropriate toy. |