The Three Dos and Don'ts of Buying Toys - A Toy Lover's Blog - NetEase Blog

Toys are the angels and companions of children. They not only bring joy to children's minds and bodies, promoting their mental health, but also greatly assist in the development of intelligence, hand-eye coordination. However, substandard and unsafe toys can cause physical harm to children, sometimes leading to disability or even suffocation and death. Furthermore, these toys can have serious and long-lasting effects on a child’s psychology. Parents are advised to prioritize safety when purchasing toys and be vigilant against potential hazards.

### One: Three Don'ts When Buying Toys

1. **Avoid toys with small parts** that can easily detach, producing small objects. Check if soft stuffed toys and dolls have eyes, noses, or other parts that could fall off. Children may swallow small objects, leading to blockages or choking hazards. Avoid letting children play alone with small toys like glass beads.

2. **Do not buy electric toys with heating elements** for your children. Inspect metal toys for sharp edges or points, ensure movable parts do not pinch fingers or toes, and check if projectiles from shooting toys are too small. Ensure helmets or masks have ventilation holes. If any of these issues exist, reconsider buying the toy.

3. **Avoid toys with long strings or ropes** to prevent accidental strangulation. Pay attention to the cleanliness of fabric and filling materials, ensuring no unhygienic substances are present. Check if sound-producing toys are too loud, and wooden toys for splinters.

### Two: Three Dos When Buying Toys

1. **Choose toys suitable for your child’s age, ability, skills, and interests**, and ensure they bear a safety certification mark. Remove plastic packaging after opening to avoid choking hazards.

2. **Read the toy instructions carefully** to understand safety guidelines. Supervise your child during play to ensure they know how to use the toy correctly.

3. **Regularly inspect toys for damage or wear**. If irreparable, replace or discard them immediately.

### Three: Select Certified Products with "3C"

Occasionally, substandard toys lead to injuries among children. Earlier inspections by the National Quality Supervision Bureau revealed zero compliance in projectile toys. Starting June 1, 2007, operators selling six categories of children's toys (strollers, electric toys, doll toys, plastic toys, metal toys, and projectile toys) without the "3C" certification mark will face penalties.

Product certification (shortened as "3C") is an important safeguard for children's safety and health. Therefore, parents are advised to ensure the presence of this certification when purchasing toys. Avoid toys without the required Chinese language certification label.