It’s the Little Things: Keeping Children Safe from Dangerous Toys

Sarah Springer, MD, FAAP, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Foster Care, Adoption and Kinship Care

Generations United
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read
(Foster Grandparent Photo)

What children need to feel safe and nurtured has not changed much over time — a healthy and loving home has always been essential. One thing that has changed, though, is what we know about the safety of products like cribs, highchairs, and toys, and what grandfamilies can do to help keep children safe from product hazards.

Last month marked 10 years since the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This 2008 law finally required companies to safety test cribs, strollers, toys, and other children’s products before they hit the market. Many people thought, if it was on the market, it must be safe. Unfortunately, the years prior to the passage of the CPSIA saw far too many infants and children harmed by cribs and play yards that could trap and suffocate, toys that could cause lead poisoning, and more. Thanks to the CPSIA, there are official federal safety standards for a wide variety of infant and toddler products we use every day.

Here are some ways you can keep children in your care safe:

· Don’t use old nursery products. It may seem natural to place a grandchild in the same crib their parents slept in. But over the last 10 years, a lot of serious injuries and deaths have been averted because of safety standards. Drop-side cribs — which trapped suffocated children in between sides — have now been banned, and cribs are now designed to prevent a child from getting their head trapped in the slats. New cribs are made to these modern safety standards, so make sure to put baby in a crib made after 2010. Also, make sure you always put baby to sleep on her back, alone, in a bare crib, with no pillows, blankets, bumper pads, or toys.

· Ensure children are safe when traveling by car. Be sure to always use a NHTSA-approved car safety seat when traveling by car with a child. Children should remain in a seat appropriate for their age, weight, and height until they are old enough and tall enough to safely use the car’s seat belts alone. Never use an old or damaged car seat.

· Check for recalls or safety problems before you buy. The 2008 CPSIA created a public database — called SaferProducts.gov — that allows you to look up a product’s safety track record before you buy it for your family. Go to SaferProducts.gov and click on “Search Recalls and Reports.”

· Let regulators know if you come across unsafe products. If you encounter an unsafe children’s product, please let the federal safety agency know so that they can follow up on it and save others from harm.

To file a report, go to SaferProducts.gov and click “Report An Unsafe Product.” This will allow you to include product and incident details, information on individuals involved and recall details. Photos of the product, injuries or damage to property can also be uploaded. After that, product manufacturers receive a copy of the report and can respond; all comments then are published at SaferProducts.gov. You can also make a report through the CPSC telephone hotline: 800–638–2772; or by fax to 855–221–6466 or via mail to; Attn: Clearinghouse; 4330 East West Highway; Bethesda, MD 20814–4408.

Grandfamilies provide an incredible service to our country every day. They provide love and help children thrive where they live, learn, and play. We invite grandparents to join us in spreading the word about how to continue to protect our nation’s children. By making these simple changes, we can keep children safe for many more years to come.

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