Safe Toy Awareness Month: A Parent's Guide to Children's Toy Safety

Why Children’s Toy Safety Matters for Vision

Children interact with their surroundings with curiosity and enthusiasm, which is one reason toy-related eye injuries happen more often than many parents realize. A toy does not need to look dangerous to cause harm. Fast-moving parts, sharp corners, hard surfaces, or small pieces can all pose a risk to a child’s eyes. Toy-related incidents can result in scratches on the surface of the eye, bruising or blunt trauma, cuts to the eyelids, or irritation and infection.

During the holiday season, many households see a sudden influx of new toys. Kids are excited, routines are busier, and playtime may be more active and less closely supervised. This combination can create the perfect setting for accidental eye injuries. By paying attention to toy safety during Safe Toy Awareness Month and throughout the year, parents and caregivers can lower the risk of eye injuries and help children enjoy their new gifts safely.

Choosing Safe Toys for Children

Choosing the right toys is one of the easiest ways to protect your child’s vision. The goal is not to limit their fun, but to avoid toys that are more likely to poke, scratch, or hit the eyes. Use the tips below as a quick reference when shopping online or in stores.

Make Sure They’re Age-Appropriate

Select toys that match your child’s age and developmental stage. Age recommendations on packaging are there for a reason, helping ensure that toys are suited to a child’s physical abilities and understanding. Follow these guidelines closely, especially for children under 6. Toys designed for older kids may include small parts, high-speed components, or heavier materials that are not safe for younger children. Also check the packaging for safety information, such as warnings about projectiles, small pieces, or chemicals. If a toy carries multiple warning labels, it may not be the best choice for younger kids.

Be Careful with Small Parts

Toys with small, detachable, or loose pieces can be choking hazards, especially for toddlers and preschoolers. Make sure all parts are larger than a young child’s mouth to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Test accessories like hats, shoes, or add-ons on dolls and action figures. If they pop off easily, the toy may not be appropriate for very young children.

Small pieces can also quickly end up in or near the eyes, causing discomfort or injury. If a part is tiny enough, it may even get lodged in the eye area. Regularly inspect toys for signs of wear, such as loosening parts or cracked pieces. If a toy is starting to break or fall apart, it is time to repair it properly or retire it.

Choose Durable, Well-Made Toys

Toys that break easily can become safety hazards, and low-quality materials may snap into sharp fragments that can injure a child’s eyes. Opt for toys made from sturdy, shatter-resistant materials and avoid items that feel flimsy, bend sharply when pulled, or have parts that seem like they could snap off with normal use. For ride-on toys, sports equipment, and other active play items, look for solid construction that can stand up to everyday play without breaking.

Inspect for Sharp Edges

Some toys appear harmless at first glance but have rough seams, sharp corners, or small protrusions that could scratch or poke a child’s eye. Run your fingers along the toy’s surfaces and edges to feel for potential problem spots. If anything feels jagged, rough, or pointy, it is safer to choose a different toy. Avoid toys with exposed metal edges, thin wires, or narrow rods that could bend and poke during play.

Avoid Toys with Projectiles

Toys that launch or shoot objects can be especially risky for a child’s eyes. Even “soft” foam darts, balls, or pellets can cause serious injuries if they hit the eye at close range or high speed. Whenever possible, skip toys that fire, shoot, or launch objects, particularly for younger children. If you do allow these types of toys, close supervision is essential. Consider protective eyewear and set clear rules, such as no aiming at the face or eyes, no shooting at close distances, and no rough play in crowded or confined spaces.

How to Ensure Safe Play at Every Age

Choosing safer toys is a big step, but how children play with those toys matters just as much. Teaching age-appropriate safety habits can dramatically reduce the risk of eye injuries, especially when kids are excited, active, or playing with siblings and friends.

• Babies and Toddlers (0-3 Years): Choose soft, lightweight toys without hard edges, sharp corners, or long handles. Keep toys with small or detachable parts well out of reach and avoid letting little ones walk or run while holding toys, especially anything with sticks, rods, or points.

• Preschoolers (3-5 Years): Start introducing simple safety rules like “no toys near faces” and “never point toys at someone’s eyes.” Store older siblings’ toys separately, so preschoolers are not tempted by toys that are not designed for their age. Encourage calm, seated play with smaller items instead of running through the house with toys in hand.

• School-Aged Kids (6-12 Years): Review safety rules before they use sports equipment, flying toys, or ride-on items like scooters and bikes. Encourage protective eyewear for high-impact sports and remind kids that laser pointers, bright flashlights, and light-up toys should never be aimed at someone’s eyes.

• Teens: Emphasize the importance of wearing safety glasses or goggles for activities like airsoft, paintball, yard work, shop class, woodworking, metalworking, or automotive projects. Talk about how serious eye injuries can affect their long-term vision and encourage them to set a good example for younger brothers and sisters.

What to Do If a Toy Injures Your Child’s Eye

Even with safe toys and good playtime rules, accidents can still happen. If you think a toy has injured your child’s eye, staying calm and acting quickly can help protect their vision. Reassure your child and gently remind them not to rub or touch the eye, as rubbing can worsen scratches or push a foreign object deeper. If you see something embedded in the eye or eyelid, do not try to remove it yourself. If a mild irritant like dust, dirt, or a small amount of non-toxic liquid seems to be in the eye, you can gently flush it with clean, room-temperature water or saline.

Some mild irritations may clear up on their own, but many toy-related eye injuries need to be checked by an eye doctor. When in doubt, it is always safer to have a professional take a look. Contact an eye doctor as soon as possible if your child has redness that doesn’t improve, ongoing watering, complaints of pain, squinting, or blurry vision. However, you should seek emergency care right away if you notice:

• A cut or gash on the eyelid or around the eye

• An object stuck in the eye or eyelid

• Blood in the eye

• A sudden change or loss of vision

• A chemical, spray, or unknown substance splashed into the eye

• Severe pain or your child is unable/unwilling to open their eye