Contents:
- Medical Video: Girl toys vs boy toys: The experiment - BBC Stories
- What needs to be considered?
- Toys that are safe for babies and preschoolers
- Store toys safely at home
- Dangerous goods
Medical Video: Girl toys vs boy toys: The experiment - BBC Stories
Lots of toys out there, and hundreds of new toys enter the store every year. Toys should be very pleasant objects and very important for a child's growth. But every year, a number of children enter the ER because of injuries related to their toys. Choking is a risk that is often faced by children aged 3 years or less, because children often put toys in their mouths.
Some of the company's production toys are equipped with instructions and labels about the user's age specifications. But, it is still important for parents to monitor their children while playing.
What needs to be considered?
Here are some general instructions to keep in mind when shopping for toys for children:
- Toys made of cloth must be labeled fire resistant
- Dolls should be washed
- Make sure the colorful toys are coated with lead-free paint
- Material for toys should read "non-toxic" or "nontoxic"
- Dispose of old toys, including "inheritance" toys given from family and friends. These toys may have emotional value and be cost-effective, but they may not meet the standards of toys for children
- Make sure the toys aren't too noisy for your child. Sounds of rattles, squeaky duck toys, and toys that emit music can sound as loud as a car horn - it can be even harder if your child plays the toy near his ear. This can damage a child's hearing.
Toys that are safe for babies and preschoolers
Always read labels to ensure that the toys you buy are suitable for your child's age. Use your judgment based on the child's temperament, habits, and attitude when buying a new toy. You might think that a child who is more responsive than a friend his age can handle toys for older children. But, the age level listed on the toy label is determined from the security side, not from the intelligence or maturity of the child.
Here is a guide to children's toys to remember according to your child's age:
- Toys should be large enough - most not 3 cm in diameter and at least 6 cm in length - so that they will not be swallowed, or caught in the child's throat. Small tester, or choke tube, can determine whether a particular toy is too small. This tube is usually designed as big as a child's windpipe. If an object fits into the tube, it means the toy is too small for your child. If you can't find it choke tube, use a roll of tissue.
- Avoid buying toys such as marbles, coins, balls, and toys using balls that are 4.4 cm in diameter or less because they can choke on a child's throat and can make the child difficult to breathe.
- If you buy a toy with a battery for your child, make sure that the battery has a battery cover that is installed using a screwdriver so that the child cannot tamper with the battery. Batteries and liquid batteries are at high risk for children because they can make children choke, internal bleeding, and burns due to chemicals.
When you check toys for babies or toddlers, make sure that they are not easily damaged and strong enough to be bitten by a child. Also make sure that the toy does not have:
- Sharp edges or small pieces such as eyes, wheels, or buttons that can be pulled up to break.
- The tip of a small toy that can reach the back of a child's mouth.
- Strap that is longer than 7 inches (18 cm)
- Can clamp small fingers
- Most toys that have to be driven by children should only be used when the child can sit without your help - but try to check the recommendations of toys on the label. Toys such as wooden horses and carts should be equipped with protective straps so as to keep your little one stable while riding and safe enough to prevent the child from falling from the toy
- Toy homemade must be checked carefully. The toy may not have been tested for safety. Do not give toys with paint made before 1978 to children because they may contain lead in them
- Toys such as stuffed animals and other toys that are sold know to be given at carnivals, night markets, and vending machines not necessarily meet child safety standards. Check toys obtained from the night market carefully, such as checking loose parts and pointed edges before giving the toy to your baby
Store toys safely at home
After you buy a toy, it is important to ensure that your child knows how to play it. The best way to make sure is to guide the child while playing. While playing, you can teach them how to play safely while having fun together.
Parents must:
- Teach children to tidy up the toys that have been used again
- Check toys regularly to make sure the toys are not damaged
- Check for sharp shards or splinters on wooden toys
- Check for rust on bicycles or outdoor toys
- Check for loose stitches or spilled puppet fillings
- Dispose of the damaged toy immediately or immediately repair the toy.
- Save back the special outdoor toys into the room when not in use so the toys don't get rain
- Make sure the child's toys are clean. Some toys can be cleaned in the sink, but read the manufacturer's instructions first. Another way is to mix antibacterial or detergent soap gently washing dishes with hot water in a spray bottle and use to clean toys. Do not forget to rinse thoroughly after spraying.
Dangerous goods
Many non-toy items can also attract children's attention. Make sure you keep your child away from:
- Fireworks
- Matches
- Sharp scissors
- Balloons (balloons that have not been blown or which have been broken can be swallowed and make the child choke)
