Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for toys:
Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant.
Stuffed toys should be washable.
Painted toys must use lead-free paint.
Art materials should say nontoxic.
Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Steer clear of older toys, even hand-me-downs from friends and family. These might not meet current safety standards.
And make sure a toy isn't too loud for your child. The noise of some rattles, squeak toys, and musical or electronic toys can be as loud as a car horn — even louder if a child holds it directly to the ears — and can damage hearing.
