Toys That Are Safe For Your Child and the Environment

Dr. Natalie W. Geary, MD
Medical Advisory Board

As a pediatrician and a mom, the safety of the toys my patients and children play with is paramount! It is also an obvious source of concern in light of new information coming out each month about toxic exposures in children and their effect on toddler development. Part of my integrative pediatric practice is to sort out ways in which the environment effects children and helping to sort out diagnoses of learning disorders and behavior disorders in the context of dietary and environmental toxins.

In my opinion, toy safety breaks down into two categories — safety from the point of view of physical injury such as choking, falling, eye injury etc and safety in terms of the resources used to make the toy and whether they are toxic or not, such as lead, mercury, and chemicals that can produce cancer, etc.

In many countries, commercial toys must be able to pass safety tests in order to be sold but safety usually is defined as accidents. In the U.S., the standards set for toys varies significantly. And in some countries, these standards don’t exist at all.

So — What should we look for if we want to go “green” and safe when buying toys?

SAFETY FIRST

  1. Read warning labels
  2. Check for hazardous sharp points
  3. Avoid toys with long cords or very small parts
  4. Make Sure That the Toy is Not Recalled (Consumer Product Safety Commission and Recalls.gov) to check if the toy you are buying is not on the Toy Recall Lists.

 

GREEN TOO

Make Sure the Toy is Non Toxic and eco-friendly!!!

  1. How is it made: Remember: plastic is not only environmentally unfriendly but potentially toxic unless it is PVC –free. Phtalates, found in plastic toys and shampoos, among other things are potential carcinogens.
  2. Search for wooden toys painted with non-toxic paint made from sustainable wood. The paint on your child’s toys may also have VOCs (volatile organic compounds) but there are now a lot of new toy companies that use water-based and low-VOC or no-VOC paints
  3. Avoid toys that need batteries or have remote controls… This helps to remove the risk of exposure to toxic batteries AND reduce the burden on the environment of disposing with expire batteries.
  4. Buy toys that will last… Toys that are durable, well made and safe not only add to your child’s safe fun but save you money and can be passed along to other children when your child is finished. This means less garbage, less waste and more fun.

 

FINALLY

There is nothing more important for your child then participating in play with him or her — and toys are a pivotal part of the process. But remember, lots can also be done with pots and pans and water and attention!!!