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Toy Safety

It’s your child’s birthday and you are wondering what toys to buy as a present. Last year they received a toy that you felt wasn’t very safe, since they almost choked on the little pieces that were attached to the toy. Is there anywhere you can go to report the incident, and to learn more about toy safety to ensure that they receive safe toys this year for their birthday?

All toys that are sold, advertised or imported in Canada must meet the safety standards defined in the Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Products (Toys) Regulations. Toy safety is a joint responsibility among governments, the toy industry, safety associations, parents and caregivers. There are many resources available to help parents ensure the safety of their children’s toys.

Risks
Although toys that are sold in Canada are considered safe under the Hazardous Products Act, some unsafe toys do make their way onto store shelves and into homes. Some toys that are safe may also become unsafe when they are used other than according to their instructions. Some of the common risks are:

Choking on small toys or parts of a toy, especially for children under the age of three.
Strangulation due to long cords.
Sharp points or edges that could cut a child.
Ride-on toys that may tip over or go too fast may cause injury.
Hearing problems due to loud toys.
Suffocation from falling into a toy box.
Lead poisoning from paint on various toys.

What you can do
There are some measures that you can take yourself to help ensure that your children’s toys are safe:

Before allowing a child to play with a toy, check that it is age appropriate and make sure that young children do not play with toys that are meant for older children.
Check all toys for small, loose parts such as wheels on cars, eyes and noses on stuffed animals, and any small pieces on other toys.
Check that rattles are large enough that they won’t get stuck in the child’s throat.
Avoid toys with cords.
Check toys for sharp points or edges.
Ensure that a ride-on toy is sturdy, balanced and will not tip, no matter where pressure is put on the toy.
Avoid toys that are too loud, or choose models with volume control.
Use a toy box without a lid, or one with a lightweight lid that will not fall, and make sure that the box has air holes for breathing and has no latch that could lock a child inside in the event that the lid does fall.
Never allow a child to suck or chew on metal jewellery, since it may contain lead.
Take caution around batteries and never let a child install batteries themselves. Also be sure that you properly dispose of used batteries.

For information available on our website concerning toy safety, you may check our customized search results.

For even more information about what you can do to protect the safety of your child when purchasing or supervising the use of toys, please refer to the following documents about toy safety posted on the Health Canada site:

Toy Safety Tips
It’s Your Health – Toy Safety

Helping you Choose
If you have read the safety tips and advice and are still uncertain about what toys to buy, you may wish to check out the list of toys awarded “Best Bets” by the the Canadian Toy Testing Council (TTCC).You may also look at the “Toy Reports” to view how certain chosen toys are rated.

The TTCC has been testing and reporting on toys since 1952. It rates its toy based on a toy's design, durability, function and play value. The council tests around 400 toys a year with children in a family home.

Reporting a Dangerous Toy
If you think you have a toy that could be dangerous, contact your nearest Health Canada Product Safety Office.Or call (613) 952-1014 and ask for the telephone number of the Health Canada Product Safety Office nearest you.