by Joan Lawrence (NAPSA)—This holiday season, you can pick out toys that are both fun and safe with these simple tips: 1. Follow the age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging. The age grading isn’t about how smarta child is—it’s based onthe developmental abilities of children at a given age and thespecific features ofthe toy. 2. Choose a toy that matches your child’s age and interests. The perfect toys are the ones that are right for your children. If a toy is too advanced,they'll becomefrustrated, andifit’s too simple, they'll get bored. Providing kids with age-appropriate playthings will help them stay safe andreap the full benefits of playtime. 3. Avoid toys with small parts for kids under 3. Items around the home that have small parts are fine for older kids but can pose a choking hazard for children under3 (or kids whostill mouth objects). Toys with small parts have a warning label on the packaging, so keep a careful eye out as you shop. 4. Shop at a retailer you know and trust. Store staff at established businesses will be knowledgeable about age-appropriate toys. At garage sales, secondhand stores or temporary “pop-up” retailers, sellers may not know about the latest safety information and certified products—and may not be around should anissue arise later on. 5. Visit PlaySafe.org for more safety advice. Oncethe gifts are unwrapped, Playing with your kids can be one of the best waysto be sure they're using their new toys safely—andit’s fun. visit www.PlaySafe.org for tons of advice on toys and play. It’s a comprehensive, free resource that includes detailed tips on small parts, advice for new parents, how to keep kidssafe duringactiveplay, information on battery and magnet safety, the importance of parental supervision during play and much more. It's important to know thatall toys sold in the U.S., no matter where they're made,are subjectto strict federal safety laws and standards. So just be sure to pick out toys that matcha child’s age and interests and then get on the floor and play with your kids. Showinglittle ones howto properly use a toy can bethe best way to make sure they understand how to safely enjoyit. Ms. Lawrence, a.k.a. the “Toy Safety Mom,”is a lifelong child safety advocate with more than 20 years of experiencein the toy industry andseniorvice president ofstandards and regulatory affairs at The Toy Association.
