For Kids’

Sake

Think

Toy

Safety

...By knowing

toy dangers

U.S. Consumer Product

Safety Commission

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Web site: www.cpsc.gov, www.saferproducts.gov

Toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 

(CPSC) is a federal agency that helps keep families 

and children safe in and around their homes.

Product safety, it’s no accident.

000012-022012

OUR RESPONSIBILITY...

Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act 

and the Consumer Product Safety Act, the 

Commission has set safety regulations for 

certain toys and other children’s articles. 

Manufacturers must design and manufacture 

their products to meet these regulations so 

that hazardous products are not sold.

...When buying toys 

Choose toys with care. Keep in mind the child’s 

age, interests and skill level. 

Look for quality design and construction in all 

toys for all ages. 

Make sure that all directions or instructions are 

clear—to you and, when appropriate, to the child. 

Plastic wrappings on toys should be discarded at 

once before they become deadly playthings. 

Be a label reader. Look for and heed age 

recommendations, such as “Not recommended for 

children under three.” Look for other safety labels 

including: “Flame retardant/Flame resistant” on 

fabric products and “Washable/hygienic materials” 

on stuffed toys and dolls.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY...

Protecting children from unsafe toys is 

the responsibility of everyone. Careful toy 

selection and proper supervision of children 

at play is still—and always will be—the best 

way to protect children from toy-related 

injuries.

...When maintaining toys 

Check all toys periodically for breakage and 

potential hazards. A damaged or dangerous toy should 

be thrown away or repaired immediately. 

Edges on wooden toys that might have become 

sharp or surfaces covered with splinters should be 

sanded smooth. Examine all outdoor toys regularly for 

rust or weak parts that could become hazardous. 

...When storing toys 

Teach children to put their toys safely away on 

shelves or in a toy chest after playing to prevent trips 

and falls.

Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. 

Use a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in 

any position to which it is raised, and will not fall 

unexpectedly on a child. For extra safety, be sure there 

are ventilation holes for fresh air. Watch for sharp 

edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or 

squeeze. See that toys used outdoors are stored after 

play—rain or dew can rust or damage a variety of toys 

and toy parts creating hazards.

Think Toy Safety

Publication 281
Sharp Edges 

New toys intended 

for children under 

eight years of age 

should be free of sharp 

glass and metal edges. 

With use, however, 

older toys may break, 

exposing cutting edges. 

Small Parts

The law bans small 

parts in toys intended 

for children under 

three. This includes 

removable small eyes 

and noses on stuffed 

toys and dolls, and small, 

removable squeakers on 

squeeze toys. 

Loud Noises 

Toy caps and some 

noise-making guns 

and other toys can 

produce sounds at 

noise levels that can 

damage hearing. Do 

not fire closer than one 

foot to the ear. Do not use 

indoors.

Cords And Strings 

Toys with long strings or cords are dangerous for infants 

and very young children. The cords can become wrapped 

around an infant’s neck, causing strangulation. Never hang 

toys with long strings, cords, loops, 

or ribbons in cribs or playpens 

where children can become 

entangled. Remove crib 

gyms from the crib when 

the child can pull up on 

hands and knees; some 

children have strangled 

when they fell across crib 

gyms stretched across the crib.

Sharp Points 

Toys which have been 

broken may have dangerous 

points or prongs. Stuffed 

toys may have wires inside 

the toy which could cut or 

stab if exposed. A CPSC 

regulation prohibits sharp 

points in new toys and other 

articles intended for use by 

children under eight years of age.

Propelled Objects

Projectiles—guided 

missiles and similar flying 

toys—can be turned into 

weapons and can injure 

eyes in particular. Children 

should never be permitted 

to play with hobby or sporting 

equipment that has sharp points. 

Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork 

tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended 

to prevent injury. Check to be sure the tips are secure. 

Avoid those dart guns or other toys which might be 

capable of firing articles not intended for use in the toy, 

such as pencils or nails.

All Toys Are Not For All Children 

Keep toys designed for older children out of the hands 

of little ones. Follow labels that give age recommendations—some toys are recommended for older children 

because they may be hazardous in the hands of a younger 

child. Teach older children to help keep their toys away 

from younger brothers and sisters. 

Even balloons, when 

uninflated or broken, can 

choke or suffocate if young 

children try to swallow 

them. More children have 

suffocated on uninflated 

balloons and pieces of 

broken balloons than on 

any other type of toy.

Electric Toys

Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements 

for maximum surface temperatures, electrical 

construction and prominent warning labels. Electric 

toys with heating elements 

are recommended only 

for children over eight 

years old. Children 

should be taught 

to use electric toys 

properly, cautiously 

and under adult 

supervision.

Infant Toys

Infant toys, such as 

rattles, squeeze toys, 

and teethers, should 

be large enough so 

that they cannot 

enter and become 

lodged in an infant’s 

throat.