The worst toys for children
The worst toys for children they are those that do not comply with EEC standards, those that do not indicate age, those that directly incite violence, and those that are impractical because they are difficult to keep, they need constant replacement and the loss of a piece makes them useless.
But also, the worst toys for children are those that we deliver to children without having previously identified them. And how does this happen? When we do not look at the identification labels that tell us that they are approved and that they have passed a security control, when we do not mind buying fake toys or buying in establishments that are not trustworthy.
Safe toys for children
The safety of toys should be a priority with the arrival of Christmas. Child accidents that endanger the health of children are reason enough to make the safety of toys the protagonist of Christmas. As evidenced by a survey conducted by CECU within the project "Embark on a safe game" With the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers AEFJ, most consumers are unaware of the basic aspects of toy safety.
Safety labeling of toys for children
Labeling is the first information on safety that the consumer receives, and must be decisive in his decision to purchase toys.
1. CE marking.In order for a toy to be commercialized in European Union stores, it must bear the CE mark, which means that the manufacturer is responsible for the safety of the product; the address of the manufacturer and, where appropriate, the importer; and the warnings necessary for the safe use of the toy, if any, that will be preceded by the word "Warning" and will be written, at least, in Spanish.
2. Pictogram NOT for children under 3 years. Among these warnings is the one of toys not intended for babies under 3 years of age, which can be replaced by a pictogram consisting of a red circle crossed with the face of a baby and the numbers 0-3 (for years) or 0-36 ( for months). 40% of the surveyed users affirm that they do not know the meaning of this pictogram.
3. Toys aimed at children under 36 months They must meet a series of specific requirements, such as the absence of small parts or balls, long ropes, etc. It is imperative that consumers take into account all safety warnings before buying a toy.
4. Go to establishments of trust, read all the labeling of the toy and take it into account before deciding, carefully follow the assembly instructions and use of the toy and supervise the children's play, are other recommendations that must be followed all year, not only at Christmas.
Counterfeit, cheaper and less safe toys
The important differences in the price of counterfeit toys with respect to the original ones must turn on the alarms of the users because the saving in costs translates into a saving in security.
As the survey conducted by CECU reveals, about 10% of users claim to have ever bought, knowingly, a counterfeit toy. And is that a company that has no qualms about forging a toy, surely will not have them at the time of breaking the safety rules.
But this frequent error in the purchase of toys not only has a direct effect on the safety of children, but also affects the toy sector in our country. Specifically, counterfeiting destroys 13.7% of the direct employment of the sector each year in Spain.
As pointed out by Jose Antonio Pastor, president of the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers, "the safety of our products is essential because of the special care we must have with the target audience." Fake products do not comply with safety regulations. to which our manufacturers are subject, the effort of the manufacturers that reflects the quality and innovation of their products, designed to adapt to the needs and characteristics of each child, while counterfeits only seek to compete on price without taking into account other Requirements: 16.6% of sales of the toy sector in Spain are lost due to counterfeiting, it is a change in the mentality of the users that is necessary to make reality, and not only by how the purchase of these products affects the industry, but, more importantly, how it affects the safety of our children. "
Recommendations to buy toys for children
In addition there are other recommendations that we must take into account when we go to buy toys for children:
1. The toy must be desired by the child. We should not impose it because we believe it is the best for him.
2. The toy has to be safe, absent of materials that do not splinter or be sharp. The colors must be solid and non-toxic.The smaller the child is, the bigger the toy must be.
3. The toy must be adapted to your personality: a more shy child needs socializing games and one too active, needs attention games, artistic etc ...
4. Excess toys It kills your fantasy and produces boredom.
5. There are no toys for children and others for girls, but it is true that our children imitate the elderly and assume the roles they see in the father and the mother. In a natural way, the male will always tend to more active toys and the girl, to others that reflect her maternal nature.
Marisol Nuevo Espín
Advice: José Antonio Pastor. President of the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ)
