Playtime Safety for Your Baby

Injury Prevention Playtime cartoonFor children under the age of 6 months, playtime is about discovery. Since children at this age tend to place objects in their mouths, the risk of choking and suffocation is great. Keep play areas clean, and vacuum frequently to make sure smaller toys and toy parts are not within reach.

To obtain product safety information, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772 or visit its Web site at www.cpsc.gov. In addition to following CPSC recommendations, you should avoid the following toys:

  • Crib gyms and mobiles that hang low in the crib.
  • Toys with small, removable parts that can be pulled off and swallowed.
  • Stuffed animals and dolls with buttons instead of patches for eyes.
  • Toys with long handles that can be inserted in the mouth or poked in an eye.
  • Pull toys with long cords that can become tangled around a child’s head or neck.
  • Toys made of brittle materials or those that have sharp edges.