any toys that we assume are safe for our kids may not be. Lead poisoning or intestinal damage from small magnets can come from familiar toys like Barbie, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora, Elmo... the list goes on and on. Are we to be reduced to sneaking into our children’s rooms at night and taking away their beloved playthings? And how do we know what’s next on the list of recalls? Every day it seems as if we’re being given dire warnings about the next seemingly innocent toy. 

It used to be easier to know what was safe and what was not. Toys came with the warning label informing us that it was not suitable for children under 3. And even while we worried about keeping our older child’s Lego set away from our baby, we knew what to expect. Now our toys come with invisible hazards. What’s a mom to do? 

Consider the Source
Virtually all of the recalled toys in the past year have been manufactured in China and sold at mass retailers. Now is the time to start supporting the local toy stores. Most of these stores stock American and European-made toys and can tell you specifically where a toy has been manufactured. Small shop owners welcome the additional scrutiny and have seen their sales increase - and while these toys might have a higher price point, it’s worth the added cost to ensure you’re buying a safe product. When shopping online, look for popular sites that promote toys made in the U.S., such as Turner Toys.

The Other Dangerous Toys
While the toy recalls have been extensive, the actual death rates and injuries have been small compared to two other toys that have never been recalled – latex balloons and trampolines. Balloons cause more childhood deaths than any toy. Small pieces of broken balloons can lodge in a child’s airway; or if she is trying to blow up a balloon and accidentally inhales it, the material can completely cover the child’s windpipe. Mylar balloons are a safer alternative. 

Trampolines are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries for children. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that trampolines never be used at home, school, or outdoor playgrounds. Bottom line – don’t be fooled by seemingly innocent toys. 

Some Safe Alternatives
Maybe we should consider going back to basics. How about a forgotten thing called imagination? How many times have we bought the “must-have” toy for our kids only to have them drop it in seconds to play with the box? Babies can be happy for hours with some Tupperware containers, a wooden spoon, balls, and blocks. For toddlers, look for stacking toys, plush toys that make noise, and toys that require fitting one object into another. 

It’s also easy to make some safe and fun musical instruments. Decorate a plastic bottle with some colored construction paper, put some cheerios inside and you have a great musical shaker. 

And don’t forget about safety for outdoor toys. Children should wear helmets when using any riding toy including tricycles or motorized cars. 

Finally, visit The Cradle’s Product Recall Alerts (straight from the Consumer Product Safety Commission) and subscribe to receive notices on product recalls of all children’s products.