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About babies' and kids' toys
There are many toys available to entertain your little one. Some toys have risks, so it’s important to know how you can help your baby play safely.
Babies’ and kids’ toys include:
- bath toys
- battery operated and electric toys
- building blocks and stacking toys
- cars, trucks and other vehicles
- games and puzzles
- push and pull toys
- rattles, teethers and squeeze toys
- ride-on toys
- rocking horses
- stuffed and plush toys.
Risks and injuries from the product
Babies and toddlers often place toys in their mouth to explore them by sucking and chewing. This makes them more vulnerable to choking.
Babies and kids of all ages can:
- suffer serious internal injuries if they swallow any small parts
- strangle on cords, ribbons, threads and elastic longer than 22 cm
- suffer cuts and wounds from toys that have sharp edges or splinters.
Things to look for when buying the product
Babies and kids can be injured while using toys. For this reason, there's a mandatory standard for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age. This helps to reduce the chance of small parts releasing or coming off toys.
There are also mandatory standards for other types of toys. View these mandatory standards and other toys information.
Design and construction
- Check for any age grading label that states the suitability of the toy for the child’s age.
- Choose sturdy and well-made toys that won’t fall apart when a child bites, tugs or sucks it, jumps on it, or throws it around. If it looks like it might easily break into small parts, choose another toy.
- Choose soft toys that are securely sewn. Long and loose pieces of thread on a stuffed toy can cause strangulation and choking.
- Make sure soft toy filling is clean and free of harmful substances.
- Make extra checks for bean-bag style toys as polystyrene beads are a choking risk.
- Foam toys are not recommended for children under three years of age. Be careful of toys like foam bath toys as they may pose a choking risk if a child bites a piece off.
- Check that toys with paints and lacquers are non-toxic.
Toys with button batteries
Be wary of toys which light up, make noise, or move. They may contain dangerous button batteries.
If inserted or swallowed, button batteries can become stuck in baby’s throat, nose or ears. This may result in serious injury and even death.
Button batteries and most products containing them are subject to mandatory standards. These help reduce the risk of access to button batteries by babies and kids.
- Look for safety warning statements on the toys indicating they contain button batteries.
- Check that the toys have secure battery compartments that have a screw or need a tool to open.
- Always keep spare batteries out of reach.
- Dispose of used batteries immediately and safely.
Second-hand toys
If you decide to use, buy or borrow second-hand toys, make sure:
- the product hasn't been recalled
- it meets mandatory standards
- it includes the instructions for safe use
- all parts are in good working order.
For tips and more information, see Buy second-hand products that are safe.
How to use the product safely
Set up and maintain toys properly
To keep your babies and kids safe, make sure you:
- follow the product assembly instructions
- follow product guidelines for your baby’s age, size and development
- throw away plastic packaging straight away, to remove the risk of a child suffocating
- always check your babies’ or kids’ toys to make sure they’re not broken, brittle, tearing, or falling apart. If they are, dispose of them immediately.
Make sure toys are safe for babies and toddlers
Make sure your baby and toddler are safe by:
- checking that toy products are age appropriate and have labelling for 3 years old and under
- never giving toys with small parts or small objects, such as coins, batteries and screws
- never leaving toys, especially soft toys in your baby's sleep environment
- checking that small magnets in toys, such as figures, letters and numbers, are securely attached and cannot come off easily
- keeping toys for older children and pet toys separate and away from a baby or toddler’s reach
- removing mobiles and toys attached to a cot, playpen or pram when babies begin to push up on their hands and knees.
Check for choke safety
To prevent choking:
- never give babies small toys and toys that have small parts that may break off
- keep a look out for things like soft toy filling, beads and buttons, or eyes and noses. If these are poorly attached they may come loose when pulled and tugged through regular use.
- use the choke check safety tool to find toys and objects that can be a choking hazard for young children. Keep these toys and parts well away from baby’s reach.
Use the choke check safety tool
Use our free do-it-yourself choke check safety tool to help you identify toys and other objects that can be a choking or ingestion hazard.
Download the PDF file and follow the instructions on how to make and use the tool.
You'll need a printer with A4 paper, a pair of scissors and some sticky tape.
If the toy or object fits inside the tool, it could get stuck in the child's throat.
Watch the short instructional video to help you make the choke check safety tool.
Video transcript
Text appears on screen while someone assembles a DIY Choke Check Tool in the background.
How to make the Choke Check: step by step instructions.
Cut along the dotted lines.
Fold the oval shape back and the tab forward.
The oval shape should sit on a slant.
Make sure the little arrows meet.
Use sticky tape to hold the cylinder and tab in place.
Finished!
Download the free DIY choke check tool at www.productsafety.gov.au/chokecheck.
See also
Toys for children up to and including 36 months of age mandatory standard
Toys containing lead and other elements mandatory standard
Toys containing lead or other elements guide
Toys that shoot objects or launch projectiles guide
Toys that children push and pull guide