During this time of year, many of us are buying toys of all kinds for our children. There are hundreds of toys available and the new ones just keep coming. Toys can be very beneficial in a child’s development but each year it is proven that toys can be dangerous by the sheer number of kids treated for toy-injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has specific regulations put in place and closely monitors all toys made in and exported in to the United States to protect your children. The CPSC Toy Regulations have improved the safety of toys and reduced the number of recalls substantially over the last few years. You can be more confident than ever when buying toys, but these regulations are only in effect for toys made after 1995, so be careful when buying or accepting used toys and make sure they are in good condition and are safe.
Safe toys are also “Green” toys. The safer they are for your children, the safer they are for our environment. Go Green this Season by buying safe toys and recycling old toys. Remember, if you have old toys that are no longer used, donate them if they are still safe, clean and good condition. Cut down on the landfill be recycling old toys. There are many needy kids in the U.S. and around the world who would be overjoyed to receive one.
Here are a few things to look for when considering a safe “Green” toy for your child:
- Make sure they say “non-toxic”
- Make sure only “lead-free” paint is used
- Buy only “washable” toys
- Toys made of fabric should be labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant
- Check the age restrictions to make sure it is appropriate for the child you are buying for (http://www.cpsc.gov/)