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800-242-5846�New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairswww.NJConsumerAffairs.gov

Toy SafetySEE BACK PAGE FOR SAFETY ALERTS!

At each stage of development, children face new challengesand potential risks. Being aware of the dangers associatedwith toys at different stages of development can help youprotect your child from injury.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission,choking is the most common cause of toy-related deaths.That soft, cuddly stuffed bear could present a chokinghazard to your child if the eyes or nose come loose.Balloons, standard fare for any birthday party, can popand become lodged in your child’s throat.

■ Never give latex balloons to children younger thaneight (8) years of age.

■ Balls and blocks should not be smaller than1 3/4" in diameter.

■ Make sure small parts of larger toys, such as wheelson toy cars, are secure and cannot break off.

Remember that age labels on toys do not refer to yourchild’s cognitive abilities. They are a warning that the toymay present a choking threat or some other danger toyour child.

BEFORE BUYING:

■ Avoid toys that have objects that can be shot orpropelled.

■ Avoid toys that make loud noises, like cap guns,because they can damage a child’s hearing.

■ Make sure strings and ribbons are no longer thansix inches to prevent strangulation; and

■ Avoid toys with sharp points or edges.

AFTER BUYING:

■ Spot check toys regularly for minor damage and urgeyour children to let you know when the toys need repair.

■ Throw away all toy packaging, such as plastic,cellophane and styrofoam.

■ Make sure batteries in toys are properly installedand never allow your child to sleep with abattery-operated toy.

■ Encourage your children to put all of their toys awayso that the toys do not become tripping hazards; and

■ Teach your child to use every toy properly.

Toys such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards and in-lineskates are safer when children wear protective gear. In NewJersey, anyone under 17 years of age must wear a properlyfitted and fastened helmet while operating a bicycle, rollerskates or skateboard, except where this requirement has beenmade exempt by mu-nicipal ordinance. Ifyou plan to give anyof these toys as gifts,make them safer byalso giving a helmet,knee pads, elbow padsor wrist guards.

toy-safety • Revised 06/02/16

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800-242-5846�New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairswww.NJConsumerAffairs.gov

Alert! Lead is a poisonous metal some-times found in paint, toys, crafts, candy,tableware and certain medicines im-ported from other countries. Many toyshave been recalled by the ConsumerProduct Safety Commission because oflead content.KEEP THE LEAD OUT

All children are exposed to lead and have some lead intheir bodies. Since there is no "safe level" of lead, the goalis to keep exposure as low as possible. The AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics recently published answers to thekey question of how children get exposed:

■ Children get lead-contaminated dust or dirt ontheir hands and then put their hands in theirmouths; or they suck or chew on lead-painted orlead-containing objects. These behaviors are anormal part of development between 6 monthsand 3 years, so a child's age should be consideredwhen determining who is at highest risk.

■ Serious exposure results from swallowing anobject that has high amounts of lead, such asjewelry that contains lead, a small lead weight ora fishing sinker. If swallowed, medical attention isrequired immediately.

■ If a toy has been recalled because it contains lead,return it as instructed. Children who played withsuch toys that are cracked or have peeling paintare most at risk.

THE DANGERS OF LEAD

Lead exposure produces few physical symptoms, but evenat low levels it may change brain development to causelower IQ scores and behavioral problems. At higher bloodlevels, symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipa-tion, loss of appetite, agitation, lethargy and seizures.

TOY SAFETY ADVICE

■ Identify whether products in your home have beenrecalled by checking the Consumer Product SafetyCommission’s website at www.cpsc.gov for a listof recalled toys.

IF YOU DO HAVE A RECALLED TOY IN YOUR HOME:

■ Take it out of your child’s hands immediately.

■ Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for therecall; do not just throw out the product.

■ Clean other toys that were near the recalledproduct.

Be an Informed Consumer…

We can Help!

973-504-6200 o 800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey)

E-Mail: AskConsumerAffairs@lps.state.nj.us

website: www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov

DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS