HEALTHY AND SAFE TOYS

STANDARDISATION AND COMPLIANCE IN THE TOY INDUSTRYSafe toys are created when toys designed for children are produced in accordance with safety standards. Worldwide, parents' greatest concern when buying toys for their children has been ensuring that the toys are safe and made from non-toxic materials. While toys are essential for children to have enjoyable and educational playtime, many children still get injured or harmed due to various reasons related to toys. For children under the age of 3, there is a significant risk of choking or swallowing small or detachable toy parts. This is because children under 3 years old tend to explore objects by putting them in their mouths. Toy manufacturers must comply with legal instructions for the toys they produce for specific age groups and place labels on toy packaging accordingly. Furthermore, one of the most crucial factors is the supervision of parents or adults while children are playing.Additionally, the labels that parents or adults should pay attention to when purchasing toys for children are as follows. Toys made of fabric should bear the label "flame-resistant" or "made of flame-retardant fabric." Plush toys should have a label indicating that they are washable. Painted toys should be labeled as "lead-free." Art supplies should not contain toxic chemicals. Electric toys should have the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label, indicating that the electrical components have been tested for safety. According to toy safety regulations, a safe toy should be designed and manufactured to be suitable for children's ages, durable, and non-toxic. Toys for infants aged 0-12 months, toddlers who have just started walking, and preschool-age children should have a minimum size of 3 cm wide and 6 cm long to prevent swallowing and blocking the airway. Battery-operated toys should have screw-fastened battery compartments to prevent easy opening by children. Swallowing batteries or leakage can cause internal bleeding, choking, or chemical burns. When buying toys for babies, it is important to ensure that there are no easily detachable parts and that they are not easily breakable when chewed. For riding toys, such as rocking horses or wagons, they should have fixed ropes that children can hold on to. School-age children should not use bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or roller skates without wearing helmets, wrist guards, and chin guards for protection. Toy darts should not have sharp tips. Toy guns should be painted in bright colors to avoid confusion with real firearms. Additionally, children should never aim darts, guns, or arrows at anyone. Parents should regularly inspect and, if necessary, repair or discard toys that are frequently broken. Toys should be cleaned by washing them with water or soapy water regularly.According to ISO 8124-1:2014, which regulates toy safety, plastic toys should not contain lead or cadmium. These toxic chemicals can impair a child's development, motor skills, and hormones. Cadmium can have adverse effects on the kidneys, lungs, and intestines, and it can also lead to lung and prostate cancer. Chemicals such as mercury and arsenic are also found in children's toys. PVC, which is used as a raw material in toy production, takes years to biodegrade in nature. Lead is used to stabilize PVC. One of the chemicals used to soften and shape PVC is phthalate. Phthalate does not chemically bind to PVC, so it becomes fluid when in contact with liquids. All these chemical substances can cause damage to various organs, developmental disorders, and cognitive impairments.In order for sustainable products to have a place in the toy market, there needs to be a radical change in the notions of design, production, and consumption. The production processes and post-use disposal of plastic toys are not environmentally friendly. In this context, toys designed with an eco-design approach should be produced using new materials and non-harmful substances, and humanistic toys should be manufactured (Edwards, 2010). Therefore, toy packaging should indicate that the toys are produced in a healthy manner, have undergone various tests, carry the CE marking, and provide information about the manufacturer, importer, and the appropriate age range for the toy. Adults should make an effort to choose toys that possess these features and ensure that they are suitable for their children's age and development.