Toys can be dangerous if they are not related to the age level of your child.  For example, a toy that has many small removable parts is fascinating to the six-year­old - and to his baby sister too, but that little creeper would very likely swallow so small an object.  And there are tools that can be handled skillfully by the 12-year­old that might cause injury to his younger brother. The chart below lists both dangerous and safe toys for children of different ages.

 

AGE GROUP		DANGEROUS TOYS		SAFE TOYS
Up to 2 years		Those small enough to swallow		Sturdy rattles
		Flammable objects		Brightly collered beads on strong cord
		Toys with small removeable parts		Washable squeak toys (with squeaker removed)
		Toys with poisonous paint		Stuffed Animals
		Stuffed animals with glass or button eyes		Large, soft balls
				Blocks with rounded corners
				Push and pull toys
2 to 3 years		Those with sharp edges		Large peg boards
		Objects with small removable parts		Wooden animals
		Objects with poisonous paint		Large crayons
		Marbles, beads, coins		Rocking horse
		Flammable toys		Sturdy cars and wagons
3 to 6 years		Sharp or cutting toys		Nonelectrical trains
		Highly flammable costumes, unless treated		Building blocks
		Electrical toys		Dolls and doll equipment
		Shooting games that endanger eyes		Blackboard and dustless chalk
		Poisonous painting sets		Modeling clay
		Ill-balanced tricycles or wagons that may topple		Simple construction sets
				Paints and paint book
				Small sports equipment
6 to 12 years		Nonapproved electrical toys Look for the UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) label		Carpenter bench, lightweight tools for younger childern
		Sharp-edged tools		Construction sets
		Poorly made sports equipment		Approved electrical toys, under supervision
		Shooting toys: air rifles in particular		Hobby materials
		Conductible kites		Well-constructed sports equipment

 

Adapted from "Our Children's World, " by the National Safety Council.

 

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