How Safe are Your Baby's Toys?

Birthday and holiday gifts for baby. These are two times every year that most parents will be split between being extremely happy so many presents have arrived for their little one and then the flip side is being annoyed or afraid of the gift because of safety issues with the baby toys. Here are the most common reasons that some baby toys are considered unsafe and how to eliminate the chances for your baby to be hurt by a well-meant baby toy gift.

First and foremost, make sure that the toys given to your baby are age appropriate. The toy given to a 6 month old for Christmas may look like a lot of fun, but it was meant for ages 3-years old and up because it has smaller pieces that could be a choking hazard. If your baby is given toys that are for an older child, hold on to them until your child is ready. Some children stop putting items in their mouths early and others you still have to watch when they are older. Toys with flying or projectile parts are never a good idea for children under the age of 4-years old. However at 6-years of age your child may still not be able to handle it when another child of 5 has no problem.n You'll know when the right time to let your child play with those toys by his or her individual development.

Size does matter for baby toys. Until your child turns 3-years of age, any baby toy with pieces should always be bigger than his mouth to avoid choking. A good test for this is to simply use an empty toilet tissue roll and see if a toy will fit through it. If the toy will fit through the roll, it will fit in your child's mouth and is a potential choking hazard.

The materials that make up the toys need to also be a concern. Certain imported toys are not held to the same safety standards as toys that are manufactured within the United States. Some toys can be painted with lead based paint, others are made with materials that are substandard.

Magnets are a hidden danger that lurks in a large number of toys for children. Small magnets are often used in toys to create movement without the use of batteries. The problem with this is that the magnet may fall out or otherwise be removed by a curious child and swallowed. Two or more swallowed magnets or a magnet and an object made of metal, can be attracted to each other through your child's intestinal walls and this will result in twisting, blockages or even holes - all of which are life threatening. Over 8 million magnetic toys had been recalled and the current recommended age for any toys sold with magnets used is now 6-years of age.

Used and re-gifted toys are usually fine for baby if they meet some minimum safety guidelines. Tails and seams on stuffed animals should be re-enforced and not loose. Stuffed animals that have small sewn on bows, buttons, or any other removable object that could fit in baby's mouth should be put up for baby to see and not play with until she's older. Also, put up toys that magnets in any way up and away from your child until she's old enough to understand that magnets can be played with but never put in her mouth.

Cords and strings on toys also cause numerous injuries every year. Pull toys should not have cords longer than 12-inches or it can easily wrap around your child's neck. Once your baby is starting to climb in his crib, take down crib gyms and mobiles as they can cause injury.

Last but not least, no one knows your baby better than you do. Play with your baby and teach him good play habits. Show your baby how a toy works and discourage him from putting objects in his mouth. You'll start instilling good safe play habits with baby toys from the very start.