As the Christmas season gets in the way, the whole scenario behind the invention of toys is that they are to be enjoyed, but part of that enjoyment includes making sure the toys are safe for your children. Below are 10 simple steps that you can take to ensure your child enjoys his/her toys during and beyond the Christmas season while taking the appropriate steps to make sure they are safe.

• Follow the age recommendations on the package. Information is normally written in smaller print and is often located in a lower corner, or back, of the box.

• If the toy contains small parts, give thoughts to your child’s behaviour before purchasing. Even if he/she is in the age range recommended by the manufacturer, parents must consider whether or not their child is mature enough to handle the toy and its parts.

• Never leave a child unattended when playing with a toy that features small parts. Even stepping away for a minute, maybe all it takes for your child to decide to put the toy in his/her mouth. In some cases, even a child having her nose close to a toy can get the toy into the child’s nose. This can be very dangerous, so always provide as much supervision as possible while your child is playing with his/her toys and even more so if they feature any small parts. At the same time, never allow children to run with any toys that have sharp or protruding points.

• Never allow the child to put toys in his/her mouth. If a child swallowed any part of the toy or accessories, the result could be tragic. If you see the child putting his/her toys in their mouth, take it away immediately while making the child understand, in a firm voice, that such is not permitted. It is not necessary to take the toys away from the child, but they should be closely supervised.

• Pay close attention to consumer safety department notices and product recalls. This information is vital because it provides updated information as to the safety of certain products, along with any that have been recently found to have defects. A product recall may be issued to avoid injuries. Never allow a child to play with toys that have been recalled or deemed not to be safe.

• Make sure that any drawing markers, paint or crayons that you purchase are non-toxic. On every product that has been tested and proven to be non-toxic, the label will indicate any such findings. Look closely on the back of the packaging in search of the seal before buying these types of art accessories.

• If a toy is painted, make sure that the paint is not coming off. This could be dangerous if the child were to put the toys in his/her mouth or if it were to get in their eyes, so be very mindful of chipping or peeling paint.

• Ensure toys and dolls are flame retardant. This is very important to protect the safety of your child.

• Make sure toys are authentic products and not cheap imitations, which may indicate cheaper manufacturing. When shopping for toys, always make sure that you are getting what you pay.

• Monitor the message or rating that a toy or video game is promoting. Quite a number of toys now promote unhealthy messages or ideas. It is essential to monitor the toys that your child enjoys to make sure that the influences they are getting are the best for their age.