How to Recognize Fake and Dangerous Toys

Counterfeit toys are a veritable industry. A thriving one, they cause enormous waste for consumers, who also risk purchasing products harmful to children's health. Half of the fake, dangerous, and banned toys come from China. Yet we can recognize them and purchase only safe products.

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HOW TO RECOGNIZE FAKE TOYS

Fake toys are easily recognizable by a series of factors that should be considered to avoid scams: the lack of a provenance label, a price too low to be credible, inadequate packaging, and poor-quality materials. On the other hand, it's easy to recognize safe toys by following a few helpful tips.

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HOW TO RECOGNIZE SAFE TOYS

To buy safe and child-friendly toys, try to follow these guidelines.

Do you prefer the toys brand and not counterfeit Because only the most well-known brands can guarantee safety when it comes to children's toys. They create high-quality products, using high-quality raw materials, and ban toxic substances from their manufacturing processes. The price is certainly higher, but you gain peace of mind, and the toy itself lasts longer.
Buy or give toys that are suitable for theage of the child. This is clearly indicated on the packaging. Toys are divided into two broad categories: one for children under 36 months and one for children aged 3 years and up. Giving a very young child a toy made of tiny, detachable parts is extremely dangerous because they could be swallowed and cause choking.
The toy box must always have the brand on it CE (the "European conformity”), which indicates that the toy complies with European safety directives. The mark is usually applied by the manufacturer itself: it is therefore a self-certification.

In addition to the child's age indicated on the box, some games must specify whether they require the presence of an adult to be used.
THElabel must always contain the name of the manufacturer or distributor and how to contact them.
The manufacturer is not obliged to test its products so it would be more appropriate to buy toys that have other brands such as, for example, the brand “Safe toys” placed by theToy Safety Institute, which guarantees that the game has been examined and built according to quality dictates.
As regards the electric toys, it is preferable to buy battery-powered ones that work with an external transformer, equipped with a life-saving device Low voltage (no more than 24 volts). Sound pressure should be between 85 and 115 decibels. Avoid excessively loud toys.

TO KNOW MORE: Christmas gifts for kids: tips for choosing the right ones, not just toys.

GUIDELINES FOR SAFE TOYS

Before buying a toy, if you can, touch it and move it to check that its parts are integrate and that they don't come off. Avoid buying toys with sharp edges or parts that could be dangerous.
Gear toys are intended for older children. Very young children could get hurt by getting caught in them because they are too young to play with.
If the toy is plastic, check that it is in ABS (resistant and non-carcinogenic), which costs more but is not flammable and therefore does not cause lesions and inflammation to the skin like other toys do, especially if counterfeit.
When you give away some canvas houses, check that their closing is not automatic (for example, that they do not have, hinges) and that they are stable in case children inside, while playing, move suddenly.

Try not to give away toy weapons which are highly counterproductive. In any case, these are suitable for older children and should not have sharp points that can cause injury. If you give darts or weapons that use small projectiles, provide children with protective gear, such as glasses e helmets.
Be careful of the Plush, which can be dangerous not only because of the fur, which can cause suffocation, but also because they are made of small parts, such as the eyes and nose, which can become detached and ingestible. Therefore, give them to children older than 36 months.
Once you have discarded the toys, throw away all the packaging that can be harmful or dangerous for children.
Don't give away toys that have ropes or cords which could cause strangulation.

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES FAKE TOYS

Fake toys contain some substances that are very dangerous to children's health.

Cadmium is harmful to the kidneys, and causes diarrhea and vomiting.
Chromium is highly toxic if ingested and is a skin irritant.
Antimony can cause poisoning similar to arsenic.
Phthalates cause liver and kidney damage.

DIY GAMES TO MAKE WITH CREATIVE RECYCLING:

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