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10 Tips for British Parents on Ensuring your Children Enjoy Playing with Toys Safely



 
 
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Old July 18th 06, 10:54 PM posted to misc.kids
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Default 10 Tips for British Parents on Ensuring your Children Enjoy Playing with Toys Safely

Toys are meant to be enjoyed but it is essential that children can play
with them safely. There are 10 simple steps you can take to ensure that
your child enjoys his or her toys in a safe way:

Follow the age recommendations on the package. All toys in the UK have
age guidelines. This information is typically written in smaller print
and is often located in a lower corner, or back, of the box.

If the toy contains small parts, consider your child's maturity
before purchasing. Even if he or she is in the age range recommended by
the manufacturer, parents must consider whether or not their child
behaves maturely enough to handle the toy and its parts.

Never leave a child unattended when playing with a toy that features
small parts. Even if you step away for a minute, that may be all it
takes for your child to decide to put the toy in his/her mouth. This
can be very dangerous, so always provide as much supervision as
possible while your child is playing with his/her toys and even more so
if they feature any small parts. At the same time, never allow children
to run with any toys that have sharp or protruding points.

Never allow the child to put toys in his or her mouth. If the child
were to swallow any part of the toy, or accessories, the result could
be tragic. If you see the child putting his/her toys in their mouth,
remove them immediately while saying "no" in a firm voice. It is
not necessary to take the toy away from the child, but they should be
closely supervised.

Pay attention to consumer safety department notices and product
recalls. There is no need to study the news in a paranoid way, but keep
an eye out for product recalls. This information is very important
because it provides updated information as to the safety of certain
products, along with any that have been recently found to have defects.
In the latter case, a product recall may be issued in order to avoid
injuries. Never allow a child to play with toys that have been recalled
or are not deemed to be safe.

Make sure that any drawing markers, paint or crayons that you purchase
are non-toxic. On every product that has been tested and is proven to
be non-toxic, the label will indicate any such findings. Look closely
on the back of the packaging in search of this seal before buying these
types of art accessories.

If a toy is painted, make sure that the paint is not coming off. This
could be dangerous if the child were to put the toys in his/her mouth
or if it were to get in their eyes, so be very mindful of chipping or
peeling paint.

Make sure toys and dolls are flame retardant. This is very important
for the obvious reasons and to protect the safety of your child.

Make sure that the toys are an authentic product and not a cheap
imitation, which may indicate cheaper manufacturing. When shopping for
toys, always make sure that you are getting what you pay for. Buy from
reputable stores like http://www.Hibba.co.uk which do not sell what may
be unsafe imports. There is a common misunderstanding is about the CE
marking on toys. It is not a European safety marking or quality symbol
intended for consumers and should not be considered as such.

Monitor the message or rating that a toy or video game is promoting.
These days so many toys are promoting unhealthy messages or ideals. It
is important to monitor the toys that your child enjoys in order to
make sure that the influences they are getting are the best for their
age.

Quick tips about specific types of toys:

- Small Parts - Avoid toys with small parts for young children. These
can be inhaled, cause choking or be put into ears and noses. Beware of
small parts which can become loose or be bitten off.

- Filling Materials - Fillings in soft toys can choke young children.
Check all seams are secure.

- Sharp Edges - Examine toys for sharp or rough edges, points or
splinters.

- Toys and Sweets - Sweets sold as part of a toy may confuse some
children. Will your child be confused?

- Food-like Toys - Don't buy any toy which your children are likely
to put in their mouths because they think it is food

- Toys with hair - Loose hair is a serious choking hazard to young
children. Check all hair is securely attached.

- Finger traps - Be aware that toys which fold or have hinges may trap
children's fingers. Check that locking devices work properly.

- Cot Toys - Don't buy cot or pram toys with long or loose strings.
These can become entangled with a child's body or cause
strangulation.

- Toys that Fly - Bullets, arrows and other toys that fly through the
air can be dangerous. Consider if your child might misuse such toys.
Follow all instructions and warnings.

Hibba's Toys is one of the leading online toy retailers in the UK.
http://www.hibba.co.uk stocks hundreds of high quality, safe,
educational toys at competitive prices. For many of them, Hibba's Toys
is the exclusive supplier in England. 5% of profits are donated to
charity.

 




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