Department of Consumer Affairs
Education and Information Division
LEARN TO RECOGNIZE DANGEROUS TOYS
By means of the Regulations for Quality and Security, the Department
of Consumer Affairs and the Commission for the Security of Consumer Products
have established norms for toys and other articles for the use by children.
Manufacturers must comply with these regulations when designing and manufacturing
their products to prevent the introduction of dangerous toys to the market.
The protection of children is a social responsibility. A careful selection of
toys and close supervision of children while they play have been, and will always
be, the best ways to protect them against accidents.
Learn how to identify dangerous toys:
Not all toys are safe for children since there are toys that
can be dangerous.
A toy is considered dangerous if it has been created for 3 year-old
children or even babies, when there is a risk of suffocation, aspiration or
ingestion of small parts.
How do we determine if a part of a toy is small enough to
be considered dangerous?
There is a small test cylinder, with an interior diameter that
equals that of the expanded throat of a baby (1.25"). If the small part
of the toy enters into the cylinder and does not extend to the outside, it is
small enough to make the baby choke or keep him from breathing.
Dangerous toys:
Explosives, some noisy plastic revolvers and similar toys producing
high-pitched and loud sounds that may affect audition.
Toys having a cord or a rope of twelve or more inches long,
since they can become entangled and strangle a child. Toys with long cords,
straps or ribbons never should be placed in babies cradles or playpens.
Toys created for 8 year-old children or younger, should not
have sharp metal or glass edges.
A broken toy may have dangerous chips or sharp ends. Toys filled
with a variety of materials may have wires that can cause cuts or deep wounds
if uncovered.
Flying toys such as missiles and remote control planes may turn into weapons
and cause injuries.
Electronic toys with defects,poorly wired or misused, may cause
electric shocks or burns. These toys should comply with mandatory specifications
regarding maximum surface temperatures.
Suspended seats and swings should be inspected to find if spaces
between mobile parts are wide enough so they do not trap, pinch or hurt children’s
fingers or hands.
Our responsibility:
The Regulations for Quality and Security of the Department of
Consumer Affairs and the Commission for Security of Consumer Products established
the norms for toys and other articles for domestic use.
The consumer has the responsibility of supervising the toys
kept at home to protect children from having accidents.
What are warlike toys?
These are toys that may promote violence and aggressiveness
in children.
Parents should prevent their children from watching violent
TV programs or being exposed to violence at home or at the playgrounds.
The use of weapons should not be encouraged, neither should
warlike toys.
If violence can be controlled in early stages of life at home,
we will be able to reduce violence in the streets.
Choosing and buying toys
Playing is a fundamental experience for children’s development.
Through games and toys children develop psychomotor skills while they begin
to understand the physical and social environment that surrounds them. It is
through games and playing that children’s curiosity and creativity are
stimulated. Children develop responsibility for the care of personal belongings
and learn how to share. Therefore, we can consider toys as tools that allow
the acquisition and development of skills as well as educational stimuli. Each
year Puerto Rican consumers spend a part of the family budget on toys. Since
toys are important for the development of a happy childhood, you should be careful
in the adequate selection considering children’s age, interests, and skills
level.
We offer a general guide for the selection of toys according
to children’s age and level of development
Toys for babies and toddlers:
Ideal toys for these children are those that help them to exercise
and control arms and legs and, those that are and aid to recognize sounds and
control eyesight (psychomotor coordination).
Toys for children 2 through 4 years old:
Toys for children of these ages should give them the opportunity
of having some physical exercise (interactive toys) and develop their imagination
while they develop skills to be used at school.
Toys for children 4 through 6 years old:
These toys should give children the opportunity to continue
physical exercise while stimulating creativity and curiosity to know more
about the world that surrounds them. Children should receive toys that encourage
them to play with children of their own age.
Toys for children 6 through 9 years old:
Ideal toys for this age-group are still those that stimulate
physical and mental development, as well as those that promote positive attitudes
and basic skills useful at school, at home and, in community life.
In this stage, it is more evident the roles that girls and
boys assume. In both cases we should discard the promotion of stereotypes
for boys and girls, that is, girls should receive a variety of toys to stimulate
their development as persons in different areas, not only dolls to play as
mothers and homemakers. The same may be said about boys, it is normal to teach
a boy how to change diapers on a doll, it is a skill that will help him to
become a better parent when he grows up. The most appropriate toys for children
of this age group are: