U.S. consumers buy three billion toys each year, according to the Toy Industry Association — toys and games are a $22 billion industry. Most toys are extremely safe for children in the age group indicated by the label, but manufacturers' instructions and warning labels should be taken seriously. Nationwide, some 160,000 children per year go to the emergency room with accidental injuries involving toys.
Small parts can lead to big problems
It's important to read the label and follow age guidelines. A toy that is safe and appropriate for a second-grader might pose a danger to a younger sibling. For example, toys with small parts must be labeled as a choking hazard if intended for ages three to six; these products are not safe for children under three. Anything that fits in a federally approved "small parts tester" is considered a small part and a choking hazard for infants and toddlers. These testers are available in toy stores; a cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper will work just as well.
Button-type batteries and small magnets can be particularly dangerous if swallowed. In addition to their being a choking hazard, batteries can poison a child, and magnets that get stuck in the digestive system can cause life-threatening internal injuries. Balloons, too, can become choking hazards; each year, several children choke to death on broken or deflated balloons. Remember that small children have small airways that are all too easily blocked.