It is a concern of many parents, unsafe toys. Their fears are not completely irrational either, as many children have been harmed by dangerous toys before, although accident numbers are falling after more stringent toy regulations have come into force. 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. This is probably the most well known hazard of childrens toys. Because of their inquisitive nature, children often put small things in their mouth and can sometimes swallow or even choke on them. 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. Another example is toys that have hinges where kids can trap their fingers or toes.

All toys and Christmas gifts should comply with the health and safety regulations of their respective countries, so next time youre buying gifts for her or him look out for the endorsement logos on the toys label first.