Buying Safe Toys for Infants and Children

Some toys may seem harmless, but every year many children are injured by popular and trendy toys. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC)'s latest report, an estimated 154,700 children under the age of 12 were treated in the emergency room for toy-related injuries. 

When shopping for children, especially around the holiday season, be mindful of the gifts you purchase. Online listings can be especially dangerous, as they can be difficult to regulate and can come from anywhere in the world, including countries who do not manufacture products to U.S. safety standards. 

All toys intended for use by children under the age of 12 must be third-party tested and certified in a Children’s Product Certificate. For this certificate, check the manufacturer’s website looking for the “product certification” or “compliance” section, product packaging, or request it directly. 

Knowing the signs of danger in a toy before you buy it will help keep your children safe. Here are 12 tips to help you shop safe:

1. Always buy age-appropriate toys 

2. Shop from reputable toy companies 

3. Look for safety labels

4. Read reviews for any red flags 

5. Look for sturdy construction and be aware of detachable parts 

6. Beware of counterfeit or toys with too good-to-be true deals 

7. Avoid older toys that may contain lead 

8. Inspect toys for damage when they arrive 

9. Be mindful of toys with magnets and button batteries

10. Take precautions before buying kids scooters 

11. Check for toy recalls on CPSC.gov 

12. Do not buy toys to keep in the crib 

Always buy age-appropriate toys.  

Check for age guidelines on toy labels. Age guidelines are put in place based on safety, developmental skill, and cognitive ability. Toys with small parts can pose choking hazards.  

• For infants, avoid toys with strings and cords that are 7 inches or longer. They could cause strangulation. 

• No toys with small parts for children younger than 3 years of age. They can break off and become a choking hazard. 

• No toys with sharp objects or edges for children under 8 years of age. 

When in doubt, think large. A quick way to check if a toy has small parts is to put the toy or detachable small part through a toilet paper tube. If it can fit through, it is considered a small part and unsafe for children under the age of 3. Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking. 

Shop from reputable toy companies  

When in doubt, go with what you know. Shop from reputable toy companies who source from manufacturers that follow CPSC’s safety standards. 

Look for safety labels 

Look for safety labels such as a tracking label that includes the manufacturer name, location, and date, age recommendations, and any specific hazard warnings such as "choking hazard" for small parts. These labels are all required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Other labels such as non-toxic or ASTM are needed for art supplies, flame resistant labeling on fabric toys, and lead-free paint on painted toys. 

Read reviews 

Often times, parents will leave reviews on a toy that may have caused their child harm. Be sure to look for these reviews and comments on the listings or elsewhere online before purchasing a toy. 

Look for sturdy construction and be aware of detachable parts 

A toy as a whole might not be a choking hazard, but if it has small parts that can be detached with a minor amount of force, it may be dangerous. Also, be sure to check for overall sturdiness of the toy—do the parts on that playset seem to be screwed on tight? Could those loose strings or ribbons pose a threat? If the eye on that teddy bear is too loose, for example, it could fall off and become a choking hazard for young ones. Keep this in mind as you’re shopping. 

Beware of counterfeit or toys with too good-to-be true deals 

Often times, if a product’s price seems too-good-to-be-true, it is. Bad actors may cut corners around manufacturing to save money. Toys that may seem similar to what’s popular right now but are considerably cheaper may differ where it matters most. 

Avoid toys that contain unsafe levels of lead. 

When shopping second-hand, be mindful of toys that may have been recalled in year’s past and toys that may contain high levels of lead such as toys painted before 2009. Lead is harmful and children primarily are at risk. According to the CDC, children should not play with toys made before 2009. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 significantly reduced the lead limit on children’s products. Items made prior to the law may contain higher levels of lead. Check for non-toxic labels and avoid buying vintage or antique toys and be careful buying toys from other countries that do not follow the U.S.’s safety standards. 

Inspect old and new toys for damage 

When a new toy arrives, be sure to check that it looks and functions as advertised. Make repairs or discard toys that are broken, as needed. If you’re giving hand-me-down toys to children, clean them with soap and water first to remove unwanted dirt, dust, and germs. 

Look out for high-powered magnets and button batteries.  

Hazardous magnets have a flux index (the measure of the force of attraction between the magnets) greater than 50 kG2 mm2. If two or more are accidentally swallowed and come together, they can be extremely dangerous and cause lifelong injuries or even death. 

Button batteries are used in many children’s toys, especially those that light up or make noise. They pose a serious risk if swallowed causing serious injury or death. Ensure battery compartments are secure, and check it regularly. If the battery compartment is broken, throw the toy away. 

Take precautions before buying your child a scooter.  

Just in 2024, the number of kids under the age of 15 were injured by electric scooters more than doubled, estimating more than 17,500 injuries. Before buying electric scooters, make sure your child is old enough, has strong balance and coordination, can follow safety rules, and are tall enough to comfortably ride. 

Strict supervision should be used when children are using or riding toys with wheels so you can intervene quickly if needed. Make sure children are wearing safety belts or harnesses and keep them securely in their seat. Again, keep age recommendations in mind for push toys. 

Keep children using riding toys like tricycles or push cars away from stairs, swimming pools, streets, hills, and traffic. Make sure they’re wearing helmets, gloves, knee pads, and other safety equipment that fits properly when using bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates, too. 

Keep an eye out for toy recalls.  

In 2024, the CPSC announced 22 toy recalls. These ranged from defects that caused choking hazards, including magnets, and toxic metals. Before crossing that gift off your young one’s wish list, check the agency’s list of recalls for clearance. 

Be extra careful when buying crib toys.  

Strings, wires, and ribbons could cause strangulation while sleeping. Crib toys should be removed when your child can push up on their hands or knees. And remember, keep all toys out of your infant baby’s sleep area to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. 

Where to go for Help 

In the event that an injury or accident happens, please keep Urgent Care and Emergency Services in mind, should you need help. Emergency departments, like Frederick Health Hospital, are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you’re not sure where to go, learn more here.