The Toy Association™ Shares Essential Tips for Safe Play this Spring & Summer Season
April 22, 2024 | Whether families are hanging out together at home or heading off on vacation, the spring and summer months are sure to be filled with plenty of outdoor playtime. The Toy Association™ is sharing its top tips for outdoor play with parents and caregivers to ensure kids are playing safely while having fun in the sun.
The toy community is also encouraged to share The Toy Association’s warm weather safety infographic on social media, which includes information on shopping safely online and avoiding counterfeits; underscores the importance of adult supervision during play; and includes tips for ride-on safety, proper toy storage, and more.
“The Toy Association and the industry at large take toy safety extremely seriously, and we are committed to educating parents and caregivers about safe play year-round,” said Joan Lawrence, The Toy Association’s Toy Safety Mom and senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs. “Whether you're planning a day at the beach, a family bike ride, or simply spending time in your backyard, being mindful of safety measures is key to avoiding unnecessary accidents and injuries.”
The Top 5 Tips for safe play this spring and summer are:
- TIP 1: Buy only from reputable sellers. Whether you choose to shop online or in store for your outdoor ride-ons, backyard play equipment, or other toys, be sure you are buying from a reputable, verified seller. Reputable sellers will comply with our nation’s strict toy safety standards. All toys sold in the U.S. are required to be tested and certified compliant to these standards before being placed on store shelves.
- TIP 2: Age matters. Always adhere to a toy’s age grading and safety information. It’s designed to keep kids safe. For example, toys labeled 3+ might contain small parts that are a choking hazard for children under three (or those who still mouth objects).
- TIP 3: Ride safely. The whole family should wear helmets and protective gear when using anything with wheels such as bikes, scooters, and skateboards.
- TIP 4: Store your toys. Keep toys away from pools, driveways, and streets with traffic. This will keep kids away from potentially dangerous situations.
- TIP 5: Supervise play. Homes with swing sets or pools—even very small kiddie pools—require an extra dose of adult supervision during play. It’s especially important to never leave children unattended near water.
Additional tips for safe play year-round can always be found at PlaySafe.org.
Families looking for fun play ideas this summer are also encouraged to download The Genius of Play’s Summer Playbook, which is filled with activities to keep kids occupied and learning during the long summer days. The Genius of Play is an initiative spearheaded by The Toy Association to raise awareness about the vital role of play in childhood development.