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Toy Safety for Babies

All toys should have a label telling you the age they are designed for however, you should not assume this is guaranteed safe for you baby. There are ways you can protect your baby from some common accidents. 

Reduce the risk of choking

Babies and toddlers may put small objects in their mouths, which is why you should be aware of these hazards and reduce the risk of choking. Here are some useful things to consider:

  • Keep small objects, such as buttons, coins and small toy parts, out of your baby's reach.
  • Many toys are marked with age restrictions to reduce the risk of babies choking on small parts or loose hair. Keep toys designed for older children away from babies and toddlers. 
  • Keep small, silver button batteries well away from your baby. These are a choking hazard and can also cause severe internal burns if swallowed. Find out more information about keeping your baby safe from burns.

How to keep toys safe for babies

Here are some useful tips to consider to keep toys safe for your baby:

  • Keeping everything neat and tidy - Putting toys away in a box or a safe place can reduce the risk of your young child falling and injuring themselves.
  • Make sure you remove balloons away from your baby as a burst balloon could be a choking hazard. 
  • Dispose any broken or damaged toys - A broken toy can cause accidents if it has become dangerous. Remove this risk by disposing of any broken toys. 
  • Take care with battery-powered toys - Although these toys will have usually passed safety tests, we would suggest you avoid mixing old and new batteries. Old batteries may overheat in the toy. 

Further information about toy safety for babies and young children can be found on the Child Accident Prevention Trust website. 

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