THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is warning parents and guardians to educate and guide children on how to use toys, in order to avoid accidents or injuries.The Bureau says the Guyana Standard Specification for the Safety of Toys and Playthings (GYS 234:2003) was specifically developed to provide guidelines to importers, retailers and consumers on the safety requirements for toys and playthings intended for children.

Toys and playthings are some of the commodities monitored by the GNBS under its Standards Compliance Programme. The National Standard specifies requirements for toxicological hazards and other hazards, such as mechanical, inflammability, hygienic, electrical and thermal.

Also addressed in the Standard are precautionary instructions and warnings; requirements for the packaging and labelling; and inspection and testing procedures, which include preconditioning for shipping and storage.

The GNBS notes that children can be protected against the use of unsafe toys and playthings if manufacturers follow the safety requirements for manufacturing, as stipulated in the Standard. However, if manufacturers fail to adhere to these requirements, the Standard can certainly guide importers, dealers and consumers when purchasing these items.

NOTE: GRAPHICS PLEASE PUT THE INFORMATION BELOW IN A BOX

The following are some purchasing tips to help parents ensure their children use toys safely:
• Read labels to gather important information about how to use the toys.
• Avoid giving children toys that shoot objects into the air, as they can cause serious eye injuries.
• Be mindful of other smaller children in the home. While a toy might be appropriate for one child, it might not be appropriate for younger siblings. Toys with small parts, for example, are popular with children over five years old, but can pose a great choking danger for those under the age of three.
• Beware of button batteries. These not only pose a choking hazard, but, if swallowed, can erode the lining of internal organs without any initial sign or symptoms. Adults should change batteries in toys.
• Toy jewellery often contain lead. It’s generally good to avoid metal jewellery, especially if your child is likely to put it in his or her mouth.

Beware of the following top five (5) toy hazards relating to toys and their parts:

1: SCOOTERS and other riding toys: Skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times, and be sized to fit.

2: SMALL BALLS and other toys with small parts: For children younger than three years old, avoid toys with small parts, as these can cause choking.

3: BALLOONS: Children under eight years old can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.

4: MAGNETS: For children under age six, avoid buying play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

5: CHARGERS and Adapters: Battery charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.