Parenting is exciting; this is especially true for first-time parents who are almost always guilty of one thing, going overboard when purchasing toys for their little ones. We want to fill the nursery with all manner of toys including teddy bears, toy cars, and legos among others.
Yet, how many parents actually read the little label that comes with the toys? The labels normally advise on the material used in the construction of the toy but few bother to take the time to read the labels resulting in serious health implications for the little ones.
What should parents be concerned about?
There are certain toxins that can cause irreversible harm if a child and indeed adults are exposed to. Ensure that it has a label that shows a Regulatory Affairs Consultant has certified their safety.
3 chemicals cause most concern in children’s toys.
Lead
Widely used in house paint, it is not unusual to find lead in toys made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). PVC can leach lead and cause a lot of damage. Be especially watchful with children who are at the age when everything that needs exploring goes into the mouth.
Lead poisoning can lead to kidney failure, learning disabilities, poor bone, and tooth formation and in the worst case scenario death.
Phthalate
Phthalate is used to retain the resiliency of plastic and will, therefore, be found in some plastic toys. The Phthalate gets into the body when the child chews or sucks the toys. In laboratory tests using animals, Phthalate’s have affected the reproductive systems of some of the animals.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is found in many plastic toys. It may cause cancer and birth defects and is therefore obviously not safe for children.
What else should parents watch out for when buying toys?
Be watchful about the type of toys you buy your little one. Some have small pieces that can be swallowed by the child for instance buttons and magnets resulting in choking. Batteries are also very dangerous as they can cause severe burns if ingested or put up an orifice.
Avoid toys with sharp edges or projectiles that can hurt the child. Take the child’s age into consideration when buying a toy. Toys with small removable parts should be left for older children. The same goes for toys with sharp edges. Teddy bears are great for younger children, just make sure they do not have button eyes that can be swallowed by the child otherwise you will need to make an emergency trip to the hospital.
Final thoughts
Carefully read labels, if there is something you do not understand then whip out your smart device and do some research.
Encourage your kids to play outside. If you can avoid computer games and toys that encourage immobility. While it is nice to have the little one in sight all the time necessitating the need for games that can keep them occupied in one position, let them go out and run around. The health benefits of activity are immense including faster mental development and reduction in obesity issues.
Supervise them as they play if you can.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
