Tips for Selecting Safe Toys

When selecting toys for a child, be mindful that not all toys for sale in Australia are guaranteed to be safe, even if they need to meet the safety standards (AS/NZS ISO 8124). Toys from cheap variety stores, markets or homemade toys, for example, may not adhere to these standards as strictly as those from trusted toy stores. Always read product labels of toys that you purchase and ensure that you heed age recommendations and warnings to prevent any potential hazards.

Tips for buying safe toys:

DO

✔️ Ensure the toy complies with the Australian safety standard.

✔️ Always check toy labels before you purchase.

✔️ Be vigilant about choking hazards, such as small detachable parts.

✔️ Select age-appropriate toys for your child. 

✔️ Heed the age recommendations on packaging, which pertain to safety, not the child's intelligence or abilities.

✔️ Ensure that battery-operated toys have battery cases that secure with screws so that children cannot pry them open. 

✔️ Examine toys for solid construction and the absence of sharp edges to prevent injuries.

✔️ Check wooden toys to ensure they have smooth edges and no splinters.

✔️ Choose non-toxic and non-flammable toys.

✔️ Exercise caution with home-made and second-hand toys, which may lack appropriate safety warnings and could contain hazardous materials such as lead paint.

DON’T

❌ Don’t give balloons as toys to young children.

❌ Don’t choose foam toys for children under the age of 3, as they can potentially break into choke-hazardous pieces.

❌ Don’t purchase toys that launch projectiles

❌ Don’t keep toys that are worn out or broken. Previously safe toys can become unsafe once they are damaged or worn out.

❌  Don’t let young children have access to ‘older kid’ toys. This is particularly important for  children under the age of 3.

Additional resources:

Products | Product Safety Australia

Toys | Product Safety Australia 

What is the EN71 toy safety standard 

Button cell battery use around children

Product Safety Australia - Balloons