The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps statistics of child-related deaths and injuries from unsafe products. According to the CPSC, 79% of injuries were to children under 15 years of age, and 45% were to children under age 5. The CPSC urges gift-givers to keep safety in mind when choosing toys for young children. The Commission requires labels to be on all toys marketed for children from 3 years old up to 6 years old if the toys pose a choking hazard to children under 3. The labels tell consumers that a toy is not safe for young children and why it is not safe.
The Commission offers consumers the following tips for safe toy buying:
1. Select toys to suit the age, abilities, and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to young children;
2. For infants, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts that could pose a fatal choking hazard;
3. For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points;
4. Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under 8; and
5. Immediately discard plastic wrapping on toys because it can cause suffocation.