One of my very first stories when I started working at Good Housekeeping was our toy reviews. Little did I know how large and impactful this project would become in just four short years. From that First Annual Toy Awards when we had 35 kids come in to help us pick the best of the bunch, to this year when we had over 115 boys and girls help us — the heart of the test has always been finding safe and well-constructed toys that inspire creativity, foster education, and encourage social play. Of course as a parent or caregiver these principles are paramount, but for a child the most important factor is how fun it is. So we try our best to find toys that meet our safety requirements, the parents' educational stipulations, and the kids' fun prerequisite.
Here are several steps you can take to ensure that you're picking out the safest toys for your children.
As a parent, you should always read all of the hazards and labels on a product. You can look for labels that indicate toys meet the latest ASTM toy safety standards. And beyond that, read toy labels carefully. The CPSC has stringent rules in place for the safety of children. The age ratings are meant as a guide, so it's important to ensure the toy is in fact appropriate for your child's skills, abilities, and interests.
- Look for a warning alerting that a toy is not suitable for a child under 3 years old due to small parts. Even without such an alert, still be wary as children can maneuver things in extraordinary ways to fit them in their mouths. If you are concerned that a toy may pose a choking hazard, you can do a simple at-home test: try to insert small toy parts into a toilet paper roll. And make sure that older children keep toys away from younger children, as they may not be appropriate or could be dangerous.
- Make sure household art materials have an ASTM D-4236 designation, which means that they have been reviewed by a toxicologist. And watch out for toys with a small magnet warning. If a child ingests more than one magnet, they can be attracted to each other making extraction more difficult.
- While they're definitely easier on the wallet, be mindful when obtaining second hand toys. Ensure that a toy is still safe and durable before giving it to your child. It's important to check for recalls as well (available at CPSC). Make sure the toy isn't broken or doesn't possess any potential hazards like sharp edges or pinch points.
Before you shop, be sure to see the winners of Good Housekeeping's Best Toy Awards 2011.