How to Find Safe Toys for Your Family
I have had many emails asking me how can parents know if their child’s toys are safe, so I decided to write some tips you can look for when you are buying toys. Chances are if you have older kids, their hand-me-down toys are not all safe. Since babies and young children put everything in their mouths, you may want to replace your toys. You can check on the manufacturer’s web site to see if they were recalled. This web site also has a list of recently recalled toys you can check out.
The paint on your child’s toys probably have volatile organic compounds (VOC). Check for toys that have water-based paint with low VOC or ones with no VOC paints. They will say so on the box!
Cheap plastic toys are cheap for a reason, they are almost always made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Sippy cups, teethers and baby dolls are almost always made with this material. PVC contains phthalates which has been linked to cancer and hormonal problems. Look for PVC free toys.
Try wooden toys. Not only are blocks and building systems fun for kids of all ages, if you buy non treated wood, it is safe for your children to put in their mouth (watch out for splinters!). These toys can be more expensive but try buying them on Ebay or craiglist, or find a relative or friend that has older kids and would be willing to give you their old toys.
You can always check out this website for more information on being green in your home.
toys, safe toys, lead free toys, how to buy safe toys, kids, parenting
May 8th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
[...] Product Safety Commission. About 17,300 Playground Swing Sets made by Playworld Systems Inc. were recalled due to the clevis bearing on the swing set can wear out and cause the swing to detach, posing a fall [...]