Here's How:
Pay Attention to Age Recommendations
The toy manufacturers usually know their stuff. If it says "Not for babies" then it's not a baby toy. Maybe your 3-year-old is ready to play checkers, but toys with small parts should be kept out of reach and little kids should only play with a grownup. Remember that many injuries and deaths from toy asphyxiation happen to kids as old as 10 or 11. Choking isn't restricted to babies and toddlers!
Try To Break Your Child's Toy
Yank on the teddy bear's eyes! If they feel loose, then your child could probably pop it out in three seconds during naptime. Shoot that toy missile into your own skin. Think of ways they could misuse their toys and see if they fall apart when you put them through their paces. Don't be afraid to test your child's birthday presents, either. Grandma doesn't want Junior to be injured by her gift.
Sort Through Toys And Know What's There
The toy box can become a black hole of tiny parts, toy accessories and choking hazards. It's important for parents to pay attention to what's there and periodically toss broken toys and random pieces into the trash.
Know Your Child
If your 4-year-old child still pops everything into his mouth, he's simply not ready for 4-year-old toys. Just because the package says the toy is age appropriate, only you know what's safe for your child.
Buy Only High Quality Toys
I know. Times are tough! But I'd rather have one $10 toy than 10 $1 toys. Many of the dangerous toys recalled recently have been from the one-dollar stores or the party-favor aisle. Think about how toy companies can possibly manufacture, package, import and sell that toy for just a buck! Many companies cut corners by outsourcing their toys to cheap manufacturers and sometimes quality goes out the window.
Report Every Incident to the CPSC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is a federal agency that cracks down on companies that manufacture dangerous toys and other products. Parents' reports alert them to potential problems and often result in nationwide recalls, fines and litigation. I often think of the Tiny Love Wind Chime Recall in which baby wind chime toys came apart and caused a puncture and laceration hazard. What if those parents hadn't reported that their baby had pieces of the wind chime toys in his mouth? Even if nobody was hurt, the information is vital to protecting consumer safety.
Read About Toy Recalls
The CPSC offers free email alerts for toys and children's products. Sign up now! You'll get an email for every recall. You should also look at our own list of recalled toys and recall toy pictures. You'll recognize the toy from the picture right away. And share the news with other parents!
Pay Extra Attention When Buying Secondhand Toys
I love a good garage sale or consignment store as much as the next mama, but you have to check out secondhand toys at the CPSC site before you give them to kids. I was given a toy that had been recalled because it caused a toddler's death. It's impossible for sellers to know the origins of every toy so parents must check them out. I don't care how cheap it is, a deadly toy is no bargain.
Cash In On Recall Rebates
The big toy companies sometimes cut corners by outsourcing their manufacturing to companies that might not have high quality standards. It's one way they keep toy prices low. Cashing in on their rebates hits them where they feel it most - in the bottom line. It only takes a minute to submit a request for a rebate. I recently received a $50 gift card because I owned a recalled toy!
Make Your Voice Heard
I know I'm not the only mama who's furious about all the recent toy recalls. Do you agree? Sing it from the rooftops! Write to the toy company, tell all your friends or write to your congressman! Report every incident to the CPSC. Tweet it and Facebook it and tell the world. Some parents even refuse to buy from toy companies with multiple recalls. Parents are a powerful group with a loud voice, so use it!