Toy Safety

Every year over £2, billion is spent on toys in the UK, research has shown that one the most important thing that you as a customer consider before purchasing a toy its that it is safe for your child to use. We therefore thought it may be helpful to provide a factsheet giving our top tips for buying toys for children.

CE Marking: All toys supplied in the UK must meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 and bear the CE marking. Put simply the CE marking is a declaration by the toy manufacturer/authorised representative that the toy satisfies the essential safety requirements applicable to them and are entitled to sell their product within the European Community.

Age Guidelines: Always ensure you check what age the toys you are buying, are suitable for. Toy manufacturers usually provide guideline messages such as 'recommended for children aged three - four' or 'play age five - seven' which should be taken into consideration when purchasing.

Age guidelines can help you choose if the toy will be fun for your child to play with and if it will prove suitable stimulation for them. Remember, always bear in mind what he or she enjoys playing with at the moment - for example, if a 10-piece wooden puzzle is easy for your child to complete, try one with 20 or 25 pieces.

Regularly Check Toys: Regularly check the condition of a toy once purchased and played with - and always get rid of toys if they become broken during play. You should keep up regular checks throughout the life of a toy.

Ensure You Check Toys on Receipt: When you get the toy out of the box, check that it is sturdy and well made. It is especially important to look over toys for babies and toddlers to make sure there are no small pieces that come loose or seams that could come apart. Remember the packaging is not normally part of the toy and should be disposed of safely before the toy is given to your child to play with. Be aware of toy features that may be hazardous, e.g.:

• Toys with cords could be dangerous for children as they could become entangled.
• Cot toys should be removed when a baby is able to push up on hands and knees as they could become entangled or fall against it.
• Any play with water (bath toys, paddling pools etc) should be closely monitored.

Small Parts: Little children can easily choke on small objects. The under-3s are especially at risk because they put everything into their mouths to explore shape and texture. It is impossible to watch a child all the time and even if you think your child has understood your warnings, a small toy can prove tempting. A safety message such as 'not suitable for children under 36 months because of small parts' must be taken literally. Toys should be clearly marked if they are unsuitable for the under-3s.

Choosing the Right Toy for the Right Child: Often a toy is well designed and safe but causes problems when it gets into the wrong hands. A building brick that is safe, interesting and educational for an older child can be lethal if a toddler chokes on it. Likewise, a toddler who can only sit up, will not cope with a ride on toy and will just keep falling off. Think about your children and what they can manage before you buy a toy. Keep toys intended for older children out of the reach of younger children.

The Lion Mark: The Lion Mark is a voluntary symbol of safety and quality, backed by a Code of Practice and developed by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) in 1988. A condition of BTHA trade association membership is that members’ toys will meet the statutory safety requirements.

Follow the Instructions & Warnings: Some toys will come with instructions that must be followed to ensure safe playing. We recommend that you read through any instructions and warnings before giving the toy to your child to play with so that you can ensure these are followed properly. There may be some pre preparation of the toy required by you before it can be given to your child, such as removing labels or tags.

If you would like to know more about toy safety then we recomend the following websites: