December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month

December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month

Children are limitlessly creative. Which, I’m sure, is one of the reasons washer warnings now read, “High Spin Speeds: Do not put any person in this washer.” The reasoning skills of little humans are not fully developed and they are not good judges of safety. So as Christmas rolls around, how do we choose safe gifts for children?

Here are two quick tips for Santa’s helpers:

  • Read warning labels and instructions. They provide important information on toy safety and guidance in how to appropriately play with a toy. Is the toy flame resistant? Is it a choking hazard? The labels will let you know.
  • Look at the age range listed on the product label. This will give you an idea of whether or not the product is safe and developmentally appropriate for the child. For instance, products with beads or buttons pose a risk to children under 3 years old because they are more likely to put things in their mouths…and choke. The age range also points to what the child will find interesting at their developmental stage. A four year old will not have enough coordination to enjoy a yo-yo but a six year may be totally entertained for hours. Each child is unique. So as the giver of a gift, pay attention to what the child is learning to do and what they find interesting.