This page is general information, not a full list of rules. In the United States, toy safety rules and recalls are handled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Other countries have their own regulators with similar lists. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Follow the age label
The age grade on a toy is mostly about safety. A toy labeled for ages 3 and up may contain small parts, even if a younger child seems ready for it. Treat the label as a minimum age, and keep toys for older children away from babies and toddlers.
Small parts and choking
Young children explore with their mouths, and small objects can block the airway. US rules do not allow small parts in toys meant for children under 3. Regulators test with a small cylinder about 1 1/4 inches across. If a toy or a piece of it fits inside, it counts as a small part.
At home, many parents use a toilet paper tube as a rough check. It is a little wider than the official test, so anything that slides through it should be kept away from young children. Pay special attention to:
- Marbles and small balls
- Pieces that can break off, such as wheels, eyes and buttons
- Uninflated or broken balloons, which are a choking hazard for children under 8
- Small parts from older siblings' sets left on the floor
Cords and strings
Long cords and strings can wrap around a child's neck. Keep pull-toy cords short for toddlers, take pull toys and toys with strings out of cribs and play yards, and never hang toys with long strings across a crib.
Magnets and button batteries
Some toys contain small, strong magnets or coin-sized button batteries. Both can cause serious internal injuries if swallowed. Two magnets swallowed separately can pull together through the walls of the gut. A button battery can cause severe burns in a short time. If you think a child has swallowed a magnet or a battery, get emergency medical care right away. Don't wait for symptoms. In the US, the Poison Help line is 1-800-222-1222.
Check that battery compartments close with a screw, and keep spare batteries locked away.
Paint, finishes and old toys
US rules strictly limit lead in paint and surface coatings on children's toys. Older toys, and some toys made outside current rules, may not meet those limits. Be careful with old painted toys, especially ones a child might chew. The hand-me-down and vintage toys page covers this in more detail.
Toy chests and storage
A heavy hinged lid can fall on a child's head or neck. If you use a toy chest, choose one with a lid support that holds the lid open in any position, or with no lid at all. Chests should have ventilation and no latch that could trap a child inside. Open shelves and lidless bins avoid these problems.
Riding and active toys
Ride-on toys, scooters and bikes call for a properly fitted helmet and a safe place to ride, away from traffic, pools and stairs. Rocking horses and push carts should be stable and sized for the child.
Check for recalls
Toys are recalled when a problem is found after sale. Before you use a hand-me-down or secondhand toy, and from time to time with toys you own, search the recall list on the CPSC recalls page. You can report an unsafe product at SaferProducts.gov. Keep the instructions for toys that came with them, and register products when the maker offers it so you can be contacted if there is a recall.
A simple safety routine
- Read the age label and warnings before a new toy goes into play.
- Remove packaging, tags and plastic wrap right away.
- Look over toys every few weeks for cracks, splinters, loose parts and worn cords.
- Repair or retire damaged toys. See caring for wooden toys.
- Store small-part toys out of reach of younger children.