Toys

Mom’s Favorite Hints to Finding Safe Toys

Are you worried about the lead, toxins, and other chemicals in our kids’ toys? As a mom, I have been concerned with reports of toys that have high lead levels and toys that are toxic. Keep reading to find out how you can make sure your child’s toys are not causing them harm.

With so many toys recalled, how can you be sure your child’s toys are safe? Here are some of mom’s favorite helpful hints:

Buy American. If possible, see if you can find toys made in the USA. You would be shocked how few there are, but hand-made wood toys are usually pretty safe.

Buy a Lead Test. Now most baby and kids stores sell these. You simply rub them against the toy to find out if they leach chemicals.

Buy organic products. Some companies now boast “organic” stuffed animals, clothes, and other toys. This will help give you piece of mind that what your child is putting in their mouth is not leeching harmful chemicals.

Buy products that are labeled “non-toxic” or “lead free” vs. “natural.” If products have the word non-toxic or lead free, they must verify this is true, however if toys simply have the word “natural” there are no specifications for what criteria the product must follow.

Buy toys from companies that have dedicated themselves to more rigorously testing their toys.

Who are these companies?

Try Melissa & Doug Products. They are great, educational, and safe! Our family and friends simply love their products and they engage in extra testing of their toys. We also like “Uncle Goose” Products, as well as these great “organic” baby & teething sets.

How else do you make sure that the toys you buy are safe?

There are a few good resources that every mom and dad should be sure to check out. It will take a bit of elbow grease to make sure that your toys are safe, but hopefully this information will help.

If you would like more information on what toys are unhealthy and why, see the PBS show “NOW.”

So many toys that have been recalled due to high chemical levels (especially lead). Make sure to check the US Consumer Product Commission Website for a list of all of these toys.

Another site that is a good resource is “Healthy Toys, because it provides a database of tested toys. You can also sign up for a texting function where you text the toys name into their database while shopping.

There are many published & online safety guides as well that listsafe products for kids.

We do a lot of research about unhealthy toys through Consumer Reports. Subscribe to the magazine at a low price to find the best and safest toys for your child.

One of the countries that has the best testing for toys is Canada. They have stringent requirements as to what counts as “safe toy” and they recently published their results for 2008. There are many winners that are available in the United States, and we would say these warrant making it onto mom’s favorite wishlist for safe toys. For see the Canadian Council’s List of Best Toys, click here.