Safety
If you buy a new toy from a reputable store or toy shop, you should be getting a toy
that has been scrupulously regulated for safety. Look for these safety marks for
reassurance:
- A smiling lion’s head in a triangle is the British Toy & Hobby
Association’s members’ mark, to show that this toy conforms to a strict code of
practice
- The same lion mark above the British Association of Toy Retailers’ logo, displayed
by shops, shows that all the products sold there meet the toy safety standard, but may not
all carry the lion mark on their packaging
- A red circle with a line through it, a frowning baby’s face and the numbers 0-3
indicate that the toy is not safe for children under three years; it is not an ability
guide but a safety warning
- A CE mark is there to assist the free movement of goods throughout the European
Community and means the toy should carry the manufacturer’s name and address. It is
not a safety mark
- Avoid buying from street markets, where imported toys may be sold that aren’t up to
UK safety standards
If you buy secondhand or are given hand-me-down toys, check very carefully for any
signs of damage or deterioration before giving them to your baby; if possible give them a
good wash or wipe down with disinfectant.
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