How to buy and play with toys safely
Our product guides help you be safe when buying and using kids' toys.
Some balloon blowing kits contain cancer-causing substances. Make sure you don’t buy a kit that contains benzene
Babies and kids can suffer a range of injuries from unsafe toys. Make sure you buy sturdy and well-made toys that are age appropriate.
Toy boxes are used to keep play areas tidy. Injuries and deaths have occurred from toy box lids falling on children’s heads or necks.
Water expanding toys and products can pose a choking hazard to young children.
Toys can contain lead and other elements. If swallowed or absorbed by your children, they can be poisoned and suffer serious health issues.
Push and pull toys are designed for children to move or walk along with. Make sure the cords or strings are not too long or thin as they can become a strangulation risk. Check the toy is sturdy.
Toys can have magnets attached or embedded in the toy. Magnets can be dangerous to children if put in the mouth or swallowed, causing serious injuries.
Toys that shoot objects or launch projectiles can put children at risk of serious eye injuries or choking. Make sure your children know not to aim at someone's eyes or face.
Toys used in water and swimming pools help to keep children afloat while they can play. Always supervise children when they’re around water. These toys are not safety devices and don’t prevent drowning.
Banned products
Bans are placed on products when there is a risk that they may cause serious injury, serious illness or death. If a product is banned, it must not be supplied in Australia.
This permanent ban applies to toys, childcare articles, eating vessels and utensils intended for children up to and including 36 months of age. Items containing more than 1% by weight of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) are banned.
The permanent ban applies to toy-like novelty cigarette lighters that produce a flame to set cigarettes or other combustible materials alight. They are a fire and burns risk.
The permanent ban applies to novelty cigarettes. They are a poisoning risk because of the ingredient hydrated magnesium silicate, which can cause serious injuries when inhaled or swallowed.
The permanent ban applies to small high-powered magnets. If multiple magnets are swallowed by children, they can stick together in the intestine or digestive tissue leading to serious internal injuries or death. They are also a choking risk.
The permanent ban applies to inflatable toys, novelties and furniture that contain beads. Loose beads or particles can be inhaled during inflation or deflation. This can cause choking or suffocation.
The permanent ban applies to knives or cutters with a metal blade in children’s art, craft and stationery sets that have not been appropriately declared on the packaging. There is a risk that children may cut or injure themselves.
The permanent ban applies to yo-yo water balls because of the risk of strangulation.