The holiday season often means getting new toys for our little ones. While choosing them, we must also ensure the toys meet all safety standards. After all, we want the children's playtime to be full of joy and learning without any risks of injuries or hazards.
In this blog we discussed about few guidelines for choosing age-appropriate toys that are completely safe for kids’ wholesome development with enjoyment.
Why Toy Safety Matters?
Toy safety is crucial because playtime aids children's growth in many ways:
Physical Development: Interactive toys help improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children. Dangerous toys can hamper their overall growth.
Cognitive Growth: Educational play encourages problem solving, stimulates curiosity and boosts other mental faculties in kids.
Social Skills: Group games and pretend plays develop cooperation, communication and other behaviorals skills.
Recreation: Playing is a critical mode for children to relax, have fun and be stress-free. Their recreation must happen safely.
All these playtime benefits necessitate an emphasis on toy safety so that children can explore, learn and enjoy without risk of any pain, choking hazards or toxicity issues.
Ensuring All Toy Safety Standards
Here are the key aspects to assess regarding toy safety before purchases:
Size and Structure
* No small or easily detachable pieces that can choke kids
* Well-assembled structure without any sharp points/edges
* Paints or decoration securely fixed and non-toxic
Material Composition
* Medical-grade non-toxic plastics like PET, PU, and EVA
* High-quality fabrics tested for skin friendliness
* Non-hazardous paints with official safety seals
Chemical Composition
* Lead quantity below regulatory thresholds
* Phthalates within accepted limits
* Affixed quality certificates for chemical safety
Durability Testing
* Extensively tested for damage-resistance
* Quality assurance certification by regulators
* Compliance with required toy safety codes
By vetting all these parameters before buying, parents can ensure the playthings pose no safety hazards for their children.
Age-Wise Toy Recommendations
When selecting developmentally-appropriate toys for kids, their age is the key factor to consider:
Infant Toys
Babies are at high risk of choking since they tend to put everything in their mouths. Choose lightweight, easy-grip, non-toxic toys of soft materials for them. Crib gyms, plush toys, mobiles and unbreakable mirror toys make great picks. Avoid anything with detachable or small parts.
Toddler Toys
Look for sturdy toys with rounded edges made from harmless materials. Great toddler toy options include chunky shape sorters, push-pull toys, rocking horses, mega blocks and fabric balls. Anything with small magnets or buttons is risky.
Preschooler Toys
Kids 3-5 years old enjoy pretend plays and games that boost creativity. Doll houses, toy kitchen sets, doctor kits, play workshops with plastic tools and storybooks make ideal preschooler toys. Ensure no loose magnets or strings to prevent oral hazards.
Toys for Older Kids
As children grow up, choose toys aligned to their developing abilities. Building sets, science experiment kits, skating boards, craft supplies boost STEAM and motor skills. Laws of physics govern the working of remote control cars, drones and other mechanical toys popular among older kids.
Every toy's packaging must clearly state the appropriate age. Carefully review developmental suitability before purchases.
Top Indian Toy Safety Standard:
Several national standards ensure toy quality regarding safe materials, testing procedures and chemical thresholds in India.
IS 9873 - National safety standards for toys cover labeling requirements, toxic substance limits and construction guidelines.
IS 15644 - Mandates chemical testing methods for toy materials to restrict 24 hazardous elements like lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.
IS 9337 - Specifies safety tests pertaining to toy design, flammability, migration of heavy metals, and load-bearing capacity.
Additionally, the **Bureau of Indian Standards** has published codes limiting phthalates and phenol content alongside mechanical and physical toy safety requirements.
By checking for these certification marks on toy packaging, parents can ascertain compliance to the highest domestic safety norms for their children’s well-being.
Rules for Safe Online Toy Shopping
Along with traditional toy stores, many Indian parents nowadays purchase playthings for their kids via online shopping apps and websites. Here are smart strategies for choosing and buying toys safely over the internet:
Research Retailer Credibility
Order only from well-known online toy stores with transparent seller details, refund/replacement assurances and secure payment mechanisms.
Compare Customer Reviews
Check out reviews by genuine buyers before picking a toy. It offers insights into actual safety and kids' engagement. But don't rely solely on ratings.
Ask Queries to Seller
If you need any clarification on the toy’s safety, construction quality or suitability for your child’s age, message the sellers directly before hitting the “Buy” button.
Examine Product Images Thoroughly
Look for assurance seals, safety warnings, appropriate age labeling and such key details in the toy images on e-commerce platforms before purchasing them for children.
By prudently following these guidelines, parents can ensure all-round safety even while buying toys online as gifts for their loved little ones.
Choosing Brands Specializing in Safe Toys
You can also simplify your toy purchase decisions by picking brands specially focused on creating high-quality safe toys for kids across all age groups.
BrainSmith
Founded by IIT graduates, BrainSmith makes 100% safe activity toys aligned to different stages of child development. Their expertly-designed building sets, STEM learning kits, wooden puzzles and more toys facilitate imaginative and cognitive thinking among kids between 1-12 years old without any safety risks.
Cubelelo
Cubelelo is India's leading cubestore. They started back in 2014 with a mission to provide one stop solution to all speed-cubing needs. They are trusted and loved by 1 million + cubers across the country.
Bloon Toys
Inspired by 'tumi ishi' or japanese zen blocks, and used traditionally to develop a sense of inner balance - because in order to balance on the outside, one needs to be balanced on the inside. Bloon Toys Zen Balancing Blocks can be used as stacking blocks, building blocks, balancing blocks.
Cardinal Rules for Toddler Safety during Playtimes
While selecting non-hazardous, age-appropriate toys is indispensable, actively supervising toddlers in their play zone is equally essential for averting any injury or accident. Here are cardinal tips for childproofing play areas:
Scan for Small Objects
Ensure no tiny toy pieces, plastic pellets, stray buttons which are choking hazards. Scan floor and play zones before letting toddlers in.
Corner Guards are Vital
Sharp table edges or TV unit corners pose falling/bumping risks. Affix corner guards, foam bumpers on all furniture.
Drawer/Door Bumpers
Install drawer and cupboard door bumpers to prevent jammed fingers or toppled furniture. Ensure TVs, shelves and cabinets are secured to the wall too.
First Aid Kit Accessibility
Keep first aid boxes stocked with bandages, antiseptic creams and burn relief gel near play areas for quick response.
By investing in safety-oriented infrastructure and maintaining vigilance during free play, parents can prevent painful or dangerous episodes.
The Takeaway on Toy Safety
The key highlights to remember regarding safeguarding children during toy-led activities are:
* Always choose playthings fitting your kid's exact age and development stage
* Thoroughly vet all dimensions of toy safety before purchases
* Actively participate in playtime to avoid any risk scenarios
* Childproof indoor and outdoor zones to minimize hazards
Toys play a very crucial role in the life of kids, choosing right toys for your kids can help in effective learning and growth, choose best toys for your kids from the vast range of collection of toys from various top Indian brands like Smartivity, Butterflyedufields and much more with Discovering Brands. Shop now.
