December 27th, 2009 by author
Parents often worry that the toys they buy their children are not safe. They are right to be concerned as dangerous toys can and have caused serious harm to lots of children, although thankfully with improving toy regulations, instances are on the decrease. However, parents still need to be careful and below we highlight some of the important things to look out for to ensure toys are safe.
Sharp edges. Even soft toys and wooden toys can have potentially dangerous sharp edges. Children can often be rough with toys and run around with them, and all it takes is a fall or a snatching motion to cause a cut or skin-pierce.
Small parts. Most people are aware that small parts are not good for children. Due to the fact a child will stick anything in their mouth without knowing what it is, pretty much all small parts are potential choking hazards. Sometimes toys don't have small parts on first inspection, but break up easily due to weak materials and these are equally, if not more dangerous.
Chemicals. Whether it is dangerous chemicals in plastics, harmful fluids in toys, or simply toxins in the paint that they are decorated with, kids can be seriously harmed by inconsiderate materials. Thankfully most toys are tested thouroughly for dangerous chemicals, but some will always slip though the net.
Mechanical Hazards. Some toys might not seem dangerous at first glance but their pure functioning poses a risk to children. Toys that work using elastic or springs can sometimes harm kids eyes if they are poor quality and break for example. Also a toy might have a hinge or shutter that children can get fingers trapped in for example.
All toys and Christmas gifts should comply with the health and safety regulations of their respective countries, so next time you’re buying gifts for her or him look out for the endorsement logos on the toy’s label first.
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December 4th, 2009 by author
A child between the ages of a baby and a kindergartner can often be a tricky one to second-guess. Constant adult supervision is necessary as leaving them alone for even a few minutes could result in some accident or misfortune happening, and at that age even a minor bump will lead to tears and a spoilt day.
Looking after them can be quite tiring for an adult, because they seem to have the boundless energy of an older child yet the insane thirst for exploration of one much younger. Everything seems so interesting to them that they have to keep checking things out.
Toys mean a great deal to children at this age and sometimes they can be hard to separate from them. They normally have a favorite, cute, soft toy, which in their eyes is as real as another human. For times, such toys are a child's best friend, literally one of the most important things in the world to them. So, they are unlikely to want to leave the toys behind.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that the toys they have are suitably safe, as there is always a strong likelihood that they will fall over or on them. This is one of the qualities that makes teddy bears and other stuffed animals so popular, along with being cute and fun looking, they are soft and harmless for a child to interact with.
The fact that soft toys have remained popular throughout the generations says a lot. Whether the toy be lifelike, an animal, or resemble something from another world, a child will love it and respond to it like a friend.
They are better able to understand the things that you say and that they see as their senses are coming on in leaps and bounds at this point in their lives. As such, any toys that develop their senses can be absolutely perfect for a child. Alphabet games or toys with noises will not only excite but will also mean they have already learnt some basics for when they start at kindergarten.
Always pay attention to the level of fun a child takes from a toy though, as this is just as important as the direct educational benefits from it. Toddlers need to have fun above all else - there is always time for learning later.
Didis.com is the online toy store and online toy shop that provides quality toys and stuffed animals for all your gift needs.
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