Toddlers and toys go hand-in-hand. But, do you know how to select safe toys for your child? Read on to understand how to choose one.
By Ram Shankar and Arun Sharma
“Doctors extricate LED bulb from toddler” — The Times of India (12 Jan 2017)
“Fidget spinners land on list of most dangerous toys for kids” — The New York Post (21 Jun 2017)
“Toddler tumbles after riding toy car down mall ramp, left bloodied” — The Times of India (24 Aug 2014)
Many parents would not think twice before buying toys for their toddlers. In fact, no parent would imagine that a toy they have bought to spread a smile on the lips of their little one can grievously harm the child. Yet, the above headlines published in various newspapers and the following statistics published in the USA tell a different story.
According to an analysis prepared by the CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) staff titled, ‘Toy-related Deaths and Injuries, Calendar Year 2016’:
The first and most important problem that we face with toddlers obviously is things going into the mouth and nose. So, both the size of the toy and the material, such as the paint or the cloth, are the two important things that parents need to look at. Also, it is important not only to buy safe toys but also to ensure that they are kept clean. These are some of the things parents tend to ignore. —*Vinita Siddhartha
While all toys look appealing to children and innocuous to parents, there may be an element of danger hidden within some of them, ignoring which can endanger your child’s safety. Read on to understand how to ensure your child's safety while choosing toys.
Every category of toys have their own inherent advantages and disadvantages. There is nothing that is completely good or bad. We are moving into a global world and children need to be exposed to everything. Including traditional toys should not lead to the exclusion of everything else.—Vinita Siddhartha
Not to be left behind international norms on toy safety, the Bureau of Indian Standards also came up with guidelines in 2011 regarding the use of phthalates in toys and childcare products. In 2017, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended the import policy for toys under Indian Trade Classification.
Changes being affected in the manufacturing and importing process of toys in India is certainly a positive step towards ensuring child safety. However, it is in no way a substitute for decreased parental awareness or vigilance with regard to toys and child safety.
To know more about How To Keep A 3-Year Old Busy At Home go through the pages of this ClipBook.
*Vinita Siddhartha is the founder of Kreeda, a store for traditional games in Chennai