How to choose baby-safe toys

As your baby physically develops, the exciting world of toys opens up to her and it can be tempting to rush out and buy one of every cute toy available to fill her toy box. But be warned – there are plenty of toys that she just isn’t ready for. Whether they are unsafe for babies or just too complex at her age, find out how you can choose baby-safe toys that will make the most of her play time:

Suitable toys:

Unsafe and inappropriate toys can cause severe injuries so take the time to find out if her toys are age appropriate and then teach her how to use them correctly. You should do regular checks of your child's toys for damage and broken parts, and immediately dispose of any that can't be fixed.

Your child should only play with toys that are suitable for her age. The label 'Not suitable for children under 3 years' refers to only a toy's suitability for young children as a result of it containing small parts that may pose a choking hazard; it is not referring to the skill level or intelligence required to use the toy.
Choose non-breakable, durable and washable toys for your baby.
Ensure that any toy that your child can get inside - tent, mask, cardboard box - has appropriate ventilation.
Choose stable ride-on toys that are age appropriate and safe.

Unsuitable toys:

If a toy or part of a toy can fit inside a 35mm film canister, then it can pose a choking threat to your child if she's under three years.
Don't buy wooden toys that can splinter (check that all sides are smooth and don't catch your fingers).
Check baby toys for small parts that may choke your child.
Ensure that all baby toys are big enough that they can't be fitted in their entirety into your baby's mouth.
Avoid toys that have sharp corners and edges.
Ensure that if you use a toy box, it has a light lid that cannot trap fingers, toes or your child's neck. Also make sure that there is appropriate ventilation should you child get into it and close the lid.
If you are considering a toy that has ribbons or strings attached, ensure that they are no longer than 30 cm long.
Regularly check all soft toys around the seams and repair any toys that have sprung a leak.
Don't allow your young child to play with toys with moving parts as these can trap small fingers.
If you have toys that make noise, ensure that the volume can be adjusted and that it is not so loud that it may damage your child's hearing.
Avoid dart sets for children - they can choke children of all ages.
Avoid toy guns that can fire projectiles - these can usually be modified to take other types of missiles (pen, marbles) that can injure your child.