5 Tips for Buying the Safest Toys for Kids This Holiday Season

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but recent toy recalls are putting a damper on the joyful holiday shopping season.

As parents begin perusing toy stores with lists in hand, many worry about picking goodies that are safe for their little ones.

“I am very concerned about what toys to buy,” says Linda Mata, who is buying toys for her grandchildren. “You may buy them now, and then find out later that there is a recall after the children have already played with them.”

Jolene Duckworth, a mother of two, is also being extra cautious this holiday season: “It is very important to know what types of toys are safe. The recent recalls due to lead have made me very worried about what to buy.”

While toys exceeding federal standards for lead content should be a concern, it should not be the only thing on parents’ minds while shopping this holiday season, says Sharon Swindell, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

“The fact of the matter is that although these toy exposures are a concern for children, the biggest risk of lead exposure is still in the homes of the United States,” she says. “Parents need to really look at the toy carefully and read the labeling for many other things too, including if it is age-appropriate for your child.”

To help parents become smart toy shoppers, Swindell offers these five tips to pick the safest and most appropriate toys for kids this holiday season.

Swindell's 5 tips for safe holiday toy shopping:

1. Don’t worry, but be vigilant. “The toy recalls have raised concerns about a number of features on imported toys,” notes Swindell. Check online for up-to-date recall information before heading out to the stores. Look for warnings about small parts, breaking, fire and choking hazards, as well as information about lead paint. “Even made in the U.S.A. does not mean it is a safe toy, so make sure to check all labels and recalls,” Swindell cautions.

2. Be cautious when shopping online. “There are pros and cons to online shopping,” Swindell says. While it may be more convenient, you are not able to hold the toy and examine it as effectively as you would in-person. If you
prefer online shopping, Swindell recommends reading product reviews from multiple sources — by other customers and independent panels — to make sure the toy is safe.

3. Chose toys wisely to make your children wiser. “Toys that promote healthy behavior or require children to use their imagination should always be top picks,” Swindell says. Toys such as a new bike, a puppet or doll, a book, or anything that involves the active engagement of the child’s mind are good ways to promote mental activity and healthy habits.

4. Inspect toys carefully and always read the labels. “Toy testing is only done when the toy is intact, so even a safe toy can become dangerous,” Swindell warns. Broken toys must be thrown away. And before you purchase a toy, make sure it is well constructed. When pieces break off a toy, it can leave a sharp edge or cause a possible chocking hazard. When selecting a toy, make sure it is age-appropriate. “Age recommendations are made by independent review panels that look at the size of the parts, strangulation and choking hazards as well as the ability of children to use the toys according to their motor skills,” Swindell says