While shopping for holiday toys, you may be looking for the best deals or the trendiest items. There’s another question you should be asking: Is it safe?
“There are always new toys and always new risks,” said James Dodington, MD, FAAP, medical director of the Center for Injury and Violence Prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital and associate professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine. “When you’re purchasing toys for children, labels are critically important. So, think about the correct age group that is ideally listed on a label and be aware that sometimes those labels and determinations are not so easy to find.”
Unsafe toys
Buying age-appropriate toys is important because labels can help account for safety risks. For example, risks associated with unsafe toys can include:
Choking or ingestion risk: Anything with small parts, button batteries, magnets or water beads can be ingested and cause serious harm.
Fall and injury risks: Electric scooters and e-bikes pose a risk of accidents leading to injury. “For kids 10, 11 or 12-years-old, there are some real risks in terms of going a lot faster and knowing the rules of the road at such a young age. Therefore, 16 and older is more ideal for a lot of these powered devices,” said Dr. Dodington. No matter what device, any time a child of any age is on a bike or scooter, they should wear a helmet.
Global risks: This can include risks associated with electrical pieces that can malfunction and cause a fire. Toys bought online from unlicensed sellers could also pose a risk of poisoning due to toys being covered in toxic coatings. To avoid these risks, always shop from a trusted vendor and check for recalls.
Unsafe decibel levels
There’s another category of toy that could cause harm: those with unsafe decibel levels.
“There are certain sound levels that are really not safe at any amount of time,” said Michael Weinstock, MD, a pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology) at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Weinstock explains kids should not be exposed to sounds at 80-100 decibels, which would be the equivalent of standing next to a leaf blower or lawn mower. Short periods of time at 70 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound of a hair dryer or noisy restaurant, is considered safe.
But exposing kids to that level of sound for extended periods of time can cause hearing loss in kids, which can be permanent.
“Early childhood development and even development in older kids can be significantly impacted by even small issues with hearing,” said Dr. Weinstock.
To help protect a child’s hearing, decibel levels should be kept to less than 35 decibels over 80% of the time. That’s equivalent to a relatively quiet classroom. Louder toys, closer to the sound of a hair dryer, should be used less than 20 minutes at a time. To reduce the exposure to loud sounds, opt for toys that have sounds that can be adjusted, and keep them at the lowest setting possible.
Resources for caregivers
Those looking for guidance on toy safety can always consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has safety education and information on the latest recalls.
Another valuable resource for caregivers is the American Association of Poison Control Centers, which is staffed 24/7 with experts who can answer questions about ingestions or exposure to hazardous materials. Dr. Dodington says even if parents aren’t sure if their child swallowed something, they can always call for guidance.
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