The decision of buying a toy for a child carries responsibility. If the wrong kind of toy is chosen, the child playing with it may get hurt.
When we shop for toys, we should firstly look out for the CE mark. All kinds of toys placed on the EU market must have this mark on the toy and printed on its packaging in a way that is visible, easily legible and cannot be rubbed off or erased.
The CE mark indicates a commitment from the manufacturer that the toy complies with EU safety rules. Before buying a toy, we should also ensure that it is suitable for the child’s age, abilities and skill level.
Children may get hurt if they are given a toy that is not meant for their age. This is especially so for children aged under three. Before buying a toy for a child under three years old, we should look out for the 0-3 symbol and the words ‘not suitable for children under 36 months’.
A toy that contains small parts is usually marked as unsuitable for children aged under three, as they tend to put toys in their mouths and may choke on small parts. Very young children also tend to pull and twist toys. We should therefore look for toys that are well made with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.
We should also look out for any warning on the package. This should not only be done by the buyer but also by parents/guardians receiving the toy. The instructions for use should also be carefully read and kept in a safe place for future reference. Packaging should be removed from children’s reach, especially plastic packaging, as there could be a risk of suffocation.
When we give our children a new toy to play with, we should spend time with them to make sure they play with it as intended and that it is suitable for them.
As parents, we should also check toys from time to time and make sure they are not damaged. Broken toys may cause injury and affect a child’s health and safety.
Second hand toys should be avoided, as old toys may not meet current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they can break and become dangerous. We should look out for sharp edges, nails or protruding screws.
We should also look out for a name and address or trademark of the manufacturer, its agent or importer within the EU. Unsafe toys can be reported to the Market Surveillance Directorate within the Technical Regulations Division of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, which can be contacted on 2395 2000.
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Odette Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.