It’s that time of year, with many shopping for the holidays, Health Canada wants to remind consumers of toy safety this Holiday Season, especially for younger kids.
“Look for sturdy, well-made toys that are appropriate for your child’s age, size, and abilities,” says Susan Talbot, a Product Safety Officer at Health Canada’s Atlantic region. “Many toys contain small parts that make them unsafe for younger children. Some playthings that come to mind are puzzles and building blocks that have small pieces, or toys with battery compartments that don’t close securely.”
Talbot suggests following these toy safety tips this holiday season:
• Read and follow the age labels, warnings, safety messages and other instructions that come with a toy.
• Keep batteries out of children’s reach. Ensure batteries are properly installed so they do not come loose and get into children’s hands.
• Look for products with battery compartments that prevent easy access. For example, screw-closed compartments are harder to access than those that simply slide to open. Always supervise children when they use products containing button batteries.
• Throw out or recycle all toy packaging like plastic bags, plastic wrap, foam, staples, ties and protective film right away. A child can suffocate or choke on these items.
• Supervise children at play and teach them to use their new toys safely.
• Fix or throw away broken toys. Check often for loose parts, broken pieces or sharp edges that could harm children.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect your child has swallowed a magnet or button battery or other small part.
• Visit the Recalls and safety alerts page on Canada.ca to see if any toys have recalls or advisories, and Report an incident involving a consumer product or cosmetic, including toy-related injuries.
For more information on toy safety, you can visit Canada.ca
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