Tips for tracking down toy info

Listen to this article

Whether you are researching toys for a legal matter or as a parent (it is the holiday season), two common issues are safety and age appropriateness. Check out these websites to assist in your quest.

The first stop for most is the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition to finding recall information, it is an excellent resource for statistics on toy and recreational equipment injuries and deaths. The CPSC also maintains a database of product safety standards with direct links to the appropriate Act and C.F.R. sections. Another page on the website worth noting is the “Toy Safety Publications” which includes safety alerts, fact sheets, and consumer guides for suitable toys.

A great site for investigating the age appropriateness of toys is the Wisconsin based Toy Tips. This is an independent firm that provides research information to “stimulate the intellectual, social, physical and individual personality development of the child.” Their toy search allows a query by age, skill, manufacturer, toy name, etc. The resulting report includes a brief summary discussing the toy, and a grading scale for various skill sets.

Another site to include in your research is the Toy Industry Association and its companion site, Toy Info. The Toy Industry Association provides statistical information along with industry statements regarding safety. The Toy Info site provides valuable insight into toy design, safety efforts, storage issues, age appropriate toy selection, and recalls.