When it comes to our kids’ safety, we could never be too sure. But since purchasing from online retailers has become more prevalent, buying toys for kids online has also been prevalent. In fact, some toys are not available in physical stores and could only be bought online. This has posed as a conundrum to parents because how can they be sure that what they are buying is safe?
According to surveys conducted, more than 50% of parents have purchased their children’s toys online. Alarmingly, a recent investigation stated that more than half of toys sold online by third party retailers were unlawful to sell and more than 20% were deemed hazardous. While initiatives to reform the rules governing the selling of children’s toys online are in place, there are still several actions parents may take to guarantee that any toys they buy online are safe.
Research the toys manufacturer beforehand
Because toys sold online may be mislabelled, do some research regarding the toys manufacturer before buying a new toy for your child from them. To ensure you’re buying a legitimate item, make sure that the company or manufacturer’s name is mentioned in the description for the toy.
Not only will this make your research earlier, it also lends a seal of authenticity to the toys. Do your research as well if the toy is age appropriate to your kid. Knowing where the toy is made would also give you an idea on how safe the toy is. If you want to buy toys online Australia manufactured products are generally safe since they undergo strict inspection.
Read reviews
One of the good things about buying online is the accessibility to reviews regarding the product you want to purchase. The thousands of reviews linked to most things on online marketplaces is a feature that smart shoppers are thankful for.
Buying toys online for your kids is made a bit easier with reviews since they could indicate whether or not a product is suitable for children. However, be wary since there are reviews that are fake and are often written to generate a buzz or to trick some consumers into buying. Check the positive and negative reviews of the toy you’re buying, as well as the prior toys the seller has sold, to help you decide.
Check age restrictions for the toys
Before buying any toys online, check the age restrictions first. The toy itself might be safely manufactured but if it is not age appropriate for your kid, it might still pose a dangerous risk, especially if you purchased a toy suited for toddlers for your baby or newborn.
There is also an alarming possibility that some of the toys are mislabelled. To be on the safe side, if the toy has small parts that could be a choking hazard, only buy it if your kid is already old enough to know that toys are not meant to be eaten.
Regardless of how old our kid is and no matter how sure we are regarding the safety of the toys we have bought online; it is still recommended that playing with your kid not only strengthen your bond with them, but also ensure their safety.
