Top Five Toy Safety Tips By Joan Lawrence (NAPSA)—Whether your children are enjoying their favorite toys or picking out new ones,thesetips can help to makesurethey stay safe while theyplay: 1. Follow the age guidance and safety information on toy packaging. ‘The age gradingisn’t about how smart a child is—it’s based on the developmen- talabilities ofchildren at a given age and the specific featuresofthe toy. 2. Avoid toys with small parts for kids under3. Toys that have smallparts Kids can enjoy their toys more—and more safely—whenadults arethere to supervise. are fine for older kids but can pose a choking hazard for children under 3. ‘Toys with small parts are labeled 3+ and include a warning label, so keep a careful eye out as you shop. 3. Shopata retailer you know and trust. Store staff at established businesses are knowledgeable aboutthelatest safety information. Exercise caution whenbuyingtoysatflea markets, garage sales, secondhandstoresandthelike as these vendors may not be monitoring for recalled products. 4, Supervise play. Always supervise your children during playtime. Read through instructions and demonstrate the correct way to use a newtoy.It’s the best way to makesure your child under- standshowtosafely enjoyit. 5. Store toyssafely. Lidded toy stor- age should be nonlocking and have specialsafety features such as airholes, spring-loaded hinges, and clearances at the hinges to make sure little fingers wont get caught. Organize and store toysto preventslips,trips andfalls. For more advice on toy and play safety, visit www.PlaySafe.org. + Ms. Lawrence, aka the “Toy Safety Mom;isa lifelong child safety advocate with more than 20 years ofexperiencein the toy industry andseniorvicepresident ofstandards and regulatory affairs at The Toy Association.
