Ride-on toys are the most common cause of injury, although these are not linked to higher death rates.
Avoid these toys if you have infants:
Toys that hang in cribs and playpens with strings longer than 7 inches
Toys that are small enough to become lodged in an infant's throat
Plastic wrapping from toys is a suffocation hazard
Avoid these toys if you have children 3 years old or younger:
Small toys or toys with removal parts that can become lodged in the child's throat. (For example, a stuffed animal with loose eyes, game pieces, batteries, or marbles)
Toys with breakable or loose parts. (For example, toys with small wheels, or action figures with removable pieces)
Latex balloons
Plastic wrapping from toys is a suffocation hazard
Avoid toys that have:
Parts that could pull off
Exposed wires
Parts that get hot
Lead paint
Toxic materials
Breakable parts
Sharp points or edges
Glass or brittle parts
Springs, gears, or hinged parts that could pinch or trap fingers
Avoid these toys if you have children 8 years old or younger:
Toys with sharp points or edges
Electrical toys with heating elements. (For example, a toy oven set)
Toys that contain toxic substances. (For example, certain art sets)
Toys that can trap fingers
Shooting or loud toys (such as, bb guns, cap guns, or air guns)
Toys that may contain lead paint (usually older toys purchased at garage sales or flea markets)
Toys that don't follow U.S. safety standards
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the use of walkers for the following reasons:
Babies in walkers can fall over objects or fall down stairs, and may roll into pools, heaters, and hot stoves.
The use of walkers is associated with poisoning, especially in infants under 9 months of age. The walker puts a young infant at a level where they can reach household chemicals before they are mobile. This can also be before many parents have baby-proofed their homes.
These devices don't make walking faster or advance mobility. They may actually slow down the development of certain skills, such as pulling-up, crawling, and creeping.
Walkers give babies extra force to break through barriers, such as safety gates. This results in thousands of head injuries each year.
Note: Many manufacturers now make stationery walkers that allow babies to sit in place. These are a safer alternative to the moveable walkers. However, many healthcare providers still believe that all walkers are unacceptable. Talk with your child's healthcare provider for more information.
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