Definition 
History
Characteristics
Advantages
Disadvantages
Selection
Evaluations
Storage and Care
Mgmt Issues
Web Pages
Bibliography
Toy Libraries
Classifying Toys

Selection Issues:

When purchasing toys one should refer often to saftey guides, such as the "US Consumer Product Safety Commission Report."
 
  • Small objects can be swallowed or inhaled;  or they may lodge in the throat, ears, or nose.

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  • Toys less than one inch long x one inch wide can be swallowed or become embedded. Objects to be aware of are:  mosaic tiles, marble, beads, pegs, and small building components.

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  • When toys are broken they should be repaired quickly or taken of the shelf. Many injuries are caused by small parts of toys that have broken off.

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  • Objects that can be inhaled or lodged in the nose or ear can cause serious damage...
“A two year old girl crawled under the dining room table and found a small foam-rubber ball that belonged to her older sister.  She began to chew off pieces of the ball. The mother discovered her eating the foam pieces and was able to get most of them from her.  However, two pieces were inhaled into her left lung. She had to be hospitalized for surgical removal of the foam.”

Incidents such as this can easily be avoided by informing people of the dangers.  Parents must be made aware of the dangers and warned to supervise play accordingly.  A sign regarding saftey precautions should be visibly  posted.


THESE TOYS MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS AND HAVE LIMITED SURVIVAL RATE IN CIRCULATION

  PLASTIC
 can have sharp edges, get brittle and break easily
FOAM AND FOAM FILLED
can be dangerous if digested

INFLATABLES 
are disastrous, except sturdy jump balls
  EXPENDABLES
such as make-up kits, chemistry sets, and models
METAL
 can be tough but develop sharp edges; if left out in the rain they can rust

CARDBOARD
puzzles, lottos, board games and cards get bent and chewed. Should be laminated before use.
  BATTERY– RUN OR CLOCKWORK
including “speaking” wind-up toys with spiral–coil mechanisms  (the exception to this are toys for use with adaptive aids for the physically handicapped)

SOFT TOYS
such as dolls and cuddly stuffed toys.  They are difficult to clean and more importantly, tend to be invested with the child's own feelings and therefore should not be expected to be shared.

 

When selecting toys compare prices. It is beneficial to visit toy shops which display their stock and allow shoppers to browse and even try out items before purchase.  It is also beneficial to have users make suggestions and to ask them for donations.