The hidden dangers in 12 types of popular toys

There are some types of toys that never lose their charm, like toy soldiers or board sets. But have you ever thought about if certain types of popular toys are safe for your child or not, especially if they are very young? We tell you about the hidden dangers in 12 types of popular toys that parents should be aware of.

Hidden dangers

Our kids love toys and we love buying them for our kids. But some types of popular toys can be quite dangerous for our kids, especially if they are under 3 years of age and at the stage when they put everything in their mouths - and we leave them to play un-monitored. We tell you what to look out for if you already have these toys at home, or are thinking about buying them for your child.

Any kind of magnetic play-set

Toys that contain magnets can certainly be entertaining for your child. But it won't be entertaining for you if you have to rush your kid to hospital because he/she decided to swallow one of those tiny magnets. Very dangerous, especially if your child is below 3 years of age.

Dart guns

Pellet or dart guns should not be purchased by parents especially if their kids tend to get trigger-happy and overexcited.

The pellets or darts used in the guns could cause various injuries to the body or eyes if used inappropriately. Toy guns are also associated with violence - really not suitable for kids at all.

Toy swords

Swords of any length possess certain dangers especially to older kids who like to play rough. The tip of the sword could poke the eye or cause impact injuries in other the child playing with it, or in another child.

And similar to playing with toy guns, swords can actually encourage violent behaviour in your kids.

Board-games and puzzles

Board games and puzzles are great for older kids. But keep your young children (below 3 years of age) as far away from these toys as possible.

The accompanying parts and accessories are small enough to be placed in the mouth and possibly block a child’s airway.

Boxing gloves

These toys make your boys look and feel utterly masculine but these could also encourage brawls that could lead to physical injuries and bruised egos.

Toys with long straps or ropes

If a toy has long ropes or straps dangling off it, and your child wraps the ropes/straps around his or her neck the danger is quite clear - strangling hazard alert! It's best to keep such toys away from children below the age of 5, or monitor their play closely.

Small building blocks

All kids love building blocks and they are a great toy for teaching kids hand-eye coordination and other great skills.

But when you buy blocks for your child, choose those that are age-appropriate. If you are buying blocks for a child below 3 years of age, the blocks should be as big as, or bigger than your child’s hand.

If your child is below 3 years of age, avoid purchasing any blocks set that contains tiny assembly blocks as these are a serious choking hazard.

Painted toys

Brightly painted wooden trains and other cute toys - we love them as much as our kids do. But even these toys can contain hidden dangers.

It's not the toy per se that could be dangerous - it could be the paint.

Always check if you are buying a painted toy that the paint is free of chemicals such as lead. The label should clearly state that the paint/toy is non-toxic. If there is no such label, steer clear of the toy.

Toy soldiers

These small, plastic army guys may provide hours and hours of fun but if your child is below 3 years of age, it may just be a bag full of choking hazards.

Toys that make a loud noise

Yes, these toys are great fun for kids, but parents, do purchase any toy that makes a loud noise with caution. If your child can use the toy properly then there's no problem.

But if your kid is just going to get carried away (as many of them do!) and end up loudly blowing the whistle or trumpet in someone’s ear, it's probably not the best idea as the loud noise can be very irritating.

In extreme cases the noise could even cause damage to the ear-drum or scare a younger child.

Tool sets

Tool sets are great at teaching our kids motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

But some toy tool sets often contain small toy nails and screws. These can be dangerous choking hazards, so if you see them included in a tool box set, do not buy it especially if your child is younger than 3.

If your older child already has a tool set at home and you also have a younger child around, do make sure you keep a careful eye on him or her if your older child is playing with the tool set.

Balloons

Kids and balloons, balloons and kids - they go hand-in-hand and we know there's no way you can stop kids from playing with them. But did you know these colourful globes also contain a hidden danger?

If they burst anywhere close to a child's face, not only can it cause your kid to get really scared, but small pieces of rubber can fly into your child's mouth creating a choking hazard. These same small fragments of balloon can also get lodged in your child's eye, causing irritation and a trip to the doctor.

Don't over stress

Parents: Don't worry if you already have these toys at home. If you monitor your younger child's play with any toy (not just the ones on our list), hazards can easily be prevented!

Do you know of any other types of toys that you think are dangerous for kids? Share your knowledge with us - leave a comment!

Written by

Karen Mira

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