What is your Role

What the Government Does - Mandatory Toy Safety Regulations

For All Ages

  • No shock or thermal hazards in electrical toys.
  • Amount of lead in toy paint severely limited.
  • No toxic materials in or on toys.
  • Art materials used by children under 12 should be non-hazardous and indicate they conform with ASTM D-4236.

Under Age 3

  • Unbreakable - will withstand use and abuse.
  • No small parts or pieces which could become lodged in the throat.
  • Infant rattles large enough not to become lodged in child’s throat and constructed so as not to separate into small pieces.

Under Age 8

  • No electrically operated toys with heating elements.
  • No sharp points on toys.
  • No sharp edges on toys.

What the Industry Does - Voluntary Standard for Toy Safety

  • Assures that the lid of a toy chest will stay open in any position to which it is raised and not fall unexpectedly on a child.
  • Limits string length on crib and play pen toys to reduce the risk of strangulation.
  • Makes squeeze toys and teethers large enough not to become lodged in an infant’s throat.
  • Puts age and safety labels on toys.
  • Puts warning labels on crib gyms advising that they be removed from the crib when babies can push up on hands and knees (to prevent strangling).

What a Parent Can Do - Reduce Choking Risk

  • Look for and read age and safety labels. Any toy that is age labeled for children three years and older should be kept away from children under the age of three - such toy may have small parts and could cause choking if placed in the mouth.
  • Keep non inflated balloons and broken balloon pieces away from children.
  • Rounded and oval objects (e.g., balls, marbles, etc.) that fit easily into a child’s mouth may be difficult to remove from a throat and could cause choking.

Reduce Strangulation Risk

Crib toys with strings, cords, ribbons, etc. (used to hand toys across crib or to the side of the crib) present a strangulation risk when babies are just starting to push up on hands and knees, usually about 5 months of age. Remove all crib toys which are strung across crib or playpen area when babies begin to push up on hands and knees or are 5 months of age, whichever occurs first.

General Toy Safety

  • Keep toys intended for older children away from younger children - such toys may injure young children.
  • Check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards - damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away immediately.
  • Store toys safely - teach children to put toys away so they are not tripping hazards; check toy boxes and shelves for safety.

For More Information

You can call the toll free hotline at 1-800-638-CPSC