When a baby is crawling or just learning to walk, toy boxes and toy chests can be dangerous traps and heavy lids can slam shut on small children. Well supported lids with sturdy hinges and plenty of holes for ventilation can eliminate such risks. Choose age appropriate toys and make sure they ride in safe places. Projectile toys and toys with parts that can fly appeal to school-aged children and can cause a variety of injuries, especially eye injuries. Supervise play with this type of toy and teach children never to aim projectiles at anyone.
Balloons are great fun, but they pose the greatest choking hazard for children of all ages.
Always blow up balloons for children and never allow them to chew on uninflated balloons or broken pieces. An Ounce of Prevention . . . Health Canada Product Safety inspectors investigate consumer complaints about toys and laboratory specialists test toys to ensure that they are safe. No matter how much safety is built into a toy, supervision, proper use and maintenance of toys are part of our responsibilities. KidsCare is a national awareness program on child safety related to consumer products.