6 Common Toy Hazards to Avoid

Safety first! It’s important that we carefully investigate the toys and games our children play with. Just because it’s sold on the shelves of a store doesn’t mean it’s particularly safe. Here are some common toy hazards you should avoid.

1. Toys That Could Cause Choking

Choking is the most common toy-related death. It’s important that you never offer toys with small parts to children under three years old. Children are likely to put the toys in their mouth and choke on them. Pay attention to all warning labels to determine if a particular toy has small parts that can be removed. Avoid latex balloons as even the large ones can be swallowed (when deflated) and block airways.

A good way to measure whether the toy is too small is to pass it through a toilet paper tube. If it can be sent through the tube, it’s too small for your child to play with. Toy balls should be monitored as well; they can block airways even if they’re too large for the paper tube test.

2. Ride-On Toys

Ride-on toys (bikes, tricycles, scooters, etc.) can be dangerous because your child may not be able to gauge how fast they’re going or respond quickly enough to adjust course. Make sure your child is always wearing a helmet, and staying away from cars and water.

3. Magnetic Toys

Some toys these days come with powerful magnets. Some children mistake magnets or shiny candy and try to eat them. If two magnets are swallowed, they could attract and cause serious complications. Even one magnet is dangerous. If any are swallowed, seek medical help.

4. Toys with Dangerous Toxins

Toxins and chemicals used to create toys can cause serious, long-lasting effects. Certain toxins can cause developmental, endocrine (hormone), and reproductive problems – especially in developing bodies of our children. You definitely want to avoid products that contain lead, phthalates (chemicals used to give hard plastic some flexibility), and formaldehyde.

5. Used Toys

It’s perfectly fine to buy or accept used toys for your children. However, you want to be sure to carefully inspect them for broken pieces or any signs that they might be dangerous. If something looks suspicious, don’t give it to your child.

6. Projectile Toys

Some toys made for older children involve projective pieces. These pieces pose a danger to your child’s face and eyes. Depending on the size and force of the projectiles, they may be entirely unsuitable for small children. Make sure that the child handling the projectile toy understands how to use it safely.

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Written by Stephanie Parker from Sleepingbaby.com, inventor of the Zipadee-Zip

The motto for Sleeping Baby, makers of the Zipadee-Zip, is: "Inspiring Dreams One Night at A time," and that, in a nutshell, is how it all started…with one little dream that has since become the Parker family's reality. When Brett and Stephanie Parker's daughter, Charlotte, was born, the feeling that welled up inside of them was indescribable; they never realized until first looking into those baby blues of hers that they were even capable of that kind of love.

When it was time to transition baby from swaddling, the Parkers tried every sleep sack on the market and every swaddle weaning trick they could find for nearly two weeks and nothing worked to get baby Charlotte to fall and stay asleep.

Stephanie became determined to restore sleep and sanity to their household and set out to find a solution that would soothe Charlotte's startle reflex and provide her the cozy womb-like environment she loved so much but still give her the freedom to roll over and wiggle around in her crib safely. Out of sheer desperation and exhaustion, the Zipadee-Zip was born. The first Zipadee-Zip(R) Stephanie put together on her little sewing machine worked like magic!

To date tens of thousands of Zipadee-Zips have been sold and all from word-of-mouth marketing. It is so rewarding for the Parkers to see other parents and babies getting the sleep they both need and deserve!

For more information, visit sleepingbaby.com.

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