Monday Decenber 16, 2002

Toy Safety

Shopping for toys during the holidays can be enjoyable and satisfying, but care should be used in making selections that are safe and appropriate for the child. Last year, an estimated 140,700 children were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms after toy-related incidents and 13 children died.

National Safe Kids Campaign

• Presented by a national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury
• Permits searches of child safety laws by state
• Features a holiday safety section

http://www.safekids.org/

Lekotek

• Dedicated to making the world of play accessible to children with disabilities
• Promotes learning and skill development through play
• Lists 40 Lekotek sites in the U.S. that offer toy lending libraries, family play sessions, and family computer centers

http://lekotek.org/sitemap.html

Consumer Product Safety Commission

• Sponsored by the Federal agency that oversees the safety of toys and many other consumer products
• Presents shopping tips for buying toys suitable for children of various ages
• Lists toy safety recalls

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/toy/toysafe.html

TOYSAFETY.net

• A project of the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups
• Offers information that was published in PIRS's annual Trouble In Toyland report
• View a list of potentially hazardous toys found on store shelves

http://www.toysafety.net/

Parents 4 Toy Safety

• Offered by the Toy Industry Association representing over 250 manufacturers and importers of toys
• This "Cyber Hotline" addresses questions about particular toys, safe play, and suitability of toys for different age groups
• Lists "Ten Toy Hazards to Avoid"

http://www.toy-tia.org/consumer/parents/safety/4toysafety.html

ParenthoodWeb

• Toy safety tips offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Includes guidelines for selecting, purchasing, and using toys
• Features an Ask the Pros page for getting advice from childcare experts

http://www.parenthoodweb.com/Library/aap_toysafety.htm

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This page last modified: 02/14/03