A new national survey of parents conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of The Toy Association has revealed troublesome findings about parents’ toy safety beliefs and behaviors.

According to the survey, while many of these parents (67 percent) say that toys with small parts are among their chief safety concerns, 82 percent think the age label on toy packaging is “just a suggestion,” and 73 percent think it’s okay for younger children to play with their older siblings’ toys. What’s more, 81 percent of these parents say that when they shop for toys for children, they tend to focus more on the types of toys that kids are interested in, rather than the toys recommended for the child’s age.

Two-thirds of parents (67 percent) also said that they believe toys manufactured outside the U.S. are less safe than those made in America, when in fact all toys sold in the U.S., no matter where in the world they are made, must adhere to strict federal safety standards and laws that are in place to protect children at play.

For advice on safe play—including tips for first-time parents, advice on magnet and battery safety, how to ensure safe play outdoors, and much more, visit The Toy Association’s free resource for parents and caregivers: www.PlaySafe.org.

About the author

Maddie Michalik

Maddie Michalik

Maddie Michalik was the Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book from 2020-2022. She was also a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider.

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