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How do I select safe toys for my 12 month old child?

A parent must know the basics when it comes to selecting toys that are safe.

There are toys out there that seem harmless but if given to children that are too young, they could prove to be deadly. Each year, hundreds of thousands of children with toy-related injuries end up in emergency rooms. Most often, these injuries happen to children under age 5 who are playing with toys they should not have.

When selecting toys for any child, make sure they are age appropriate. Most toys provide an age recommended that is determined by experts who know the abilities of children and how safe a toy is for a certain age. It’s important to stick to their recommendations.

When you are choosing toys for a 12 to 24 month old child, there are many things to consider besides the age appropriateness. Always look closely at the toy to make sure that there are no parts that can be pulled off and swallowed. Toy manufacturers recall many toys each year due to unknown choking hazards. Rule of thumb is that any piece of the toy that comes apart must be bigger than the child’s mouth.

Toys for this age range should not have strings that are longer than 12 inches. This could be a strangulation hazard.

Also, make sure that the toy does not have sharp edges, is too heavy, or if the toy is used, make sure that it is in good condition.

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