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About projectile toys
Toys that shoot objects and launch projectiles can put children at risk of serious eye injuries or choking.
These toys can include:
- toy guns
- slingshots
- bow and arrow sets
- dart blasters and guns
- toys that can shoot objects at high speed.
Risks and injuries from the product
Children and bystanders can suffer serious eye injuries if hit by projectile toys.
Toys that launch projectiles at speed may cause cuts and lacerations to children or bystanders if hit by the projectile.
Toys that shoot objects or launch projectiles can have small parts that can be a choking hazard for children, particularly those under 3 years of age.
Things to look for when buying the product
Some serious injuries have happened to children playing with projectile toys. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.
Only buy toys that shoot objects or launch projectiles when they comply with the projectile toys mandatory standard.
Design and construction
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Rotors and propellers that spin at high speed must have features to reduce the risk of injury from the front edges of these blades.
- Check for any age grading label that states the suitability of the toy for the child’s age.
- Check small parts for a choking risk. Use the choke check safety tool to help find out if a toy or object is a choking risk for children under 3. years old. If the toy, object or its parts fits inside the tool, it can get stuck in a child's throat. Keep these toys and parts well away from the reach of children.
Marks and labels
- Make sure the packaging or instructions have a safety warning statement. This is required by the mandatory standard.
The safety warning statement is:
WARNING: Do not aim at eyes or face
How to use the product safely
To keep your children safe, make sure:
- they know to never aim projectile toys at someone's eyes or face
- they know to not play with projectile toys near people
- you always supervise your children when playing with toys that can shoot objects or launch projectiles
- keep adult products out of children’s reach, such as darts, souvenir bows and arrows.
