Safe Toy Awareness Month: How to Prioritize to Children’s Toy Safety

Why Children’s Toy Safety Matters for Eye Health

Children explore their world with curiosity and enthusiasm, which is one reason toy-related eye injuries are more common than many parents realize. A toy does not need to look dangerous to cause harm. Fast-moving parts, sharp corners, rigid surfaces, or tiny pieces can all pose a risk to a child’s eyes. Toy-related accidents can lead to corneal scratches, bruising around the eye, cuts on the eyelids, or irritation and infection.

During the holidays and other busy seasons, many families bring a surge of new toys into the home. Kids are excited, schedules are full, and playtime is often more energetic and less supervised. Together, these factors create a setting where accidental eye injuries are more likely to occur. By paying attention to toy safety during Safe Toy Awareness Month and throughout the year, parents and caregivers can help lower the risk of eye injuries and ensure children enjoy their new toys safely.

Choosing Safe Toys for Children

Choosing safer toys is one of the simplest ways to protect your child’s vision. The goal is not to limit creativity or fun, but to avoid toys that are more likely to poke, scratch, or strike the eyes. Use the tips below as a quick guide when you shop in-store or online.

Make Sure They’re Age-Appropriate

Pick toys that align with your child’s age and developmental stage. The age recommendations on toy packaging are there to help ensure the toy’s size, design, and features match a child’s physical skills and understanding. Follow these guidelines closely, especially for children under 6. Toys made for older kids may include small parts, high-speed mechanisms, or heavier materials that are not safe for younger children. Check the box for safety details such as warnings about projectiles, small pieces, or chemicals. If a toy includes several warning labels, it may not be the best choice for younger kids.

Be Careful with Small Parts

Toys with small, detachable, or loose parts can pose choking hazards, particularly for toddlers and preschoolers. Make sure all pieces are larger than a young child’s mouth to help prevent accidental swallowing. Test accessories like shoes, hats, or clip-on pieces for dolls and action figures—if they come off easily, they may not be appropriate for very young children.

Small pieces can also end up in or near the eyes, causing discomfort or injury. In some cases, a tiny part can even become lodged in the eye area. Regularly check toys for signs of wear, such as loose joints, cracked plastic, or parts that wiggle more than they used to. If a toy is starting to break down, it is time to repair it properly or retire it from play.

Choose Durable, Well-Made Toys

Toys that crack, chip, or snap under normal use can quickly turn into safety hazards. Low-quality materials may break into sharp fragments that could injure a child’s eyes. Choose toys made from sturdy, shatter-resistant materials and avoid items that feel flimsy, bend sharply when pulled, or have joints that seem likely to break. For ride-on toys, sports gear, and other active play items, look for solid construction that can handle everyday play without falling apart.

Inspect for Sharp Edges

Some toys appear safe at first glance but have rough seams, pointed corners, or small protrusions that could scratch or poke a child’s eye. Run your fingers along the toy’s edges and surfaces to feel for anything that seems sharp, jagged, or raised. If something feels harsh or pointy, it is safer to choose another option. Avoid toys with exposed metal edges, thin wires, or narrow rods that could bend and jab during play.

Avoid Toys with Projectiles

Toys that shoot, launch, or fire objects can be particularly risky for a child’s eyes. Even “soft” foam darts, balls, or pellets can cause serious injury if they hit the eye at close range or high speed. Whenever possible, skip toys that involve projectiles, especially for younger children.

If you do allow these types of toys in your home, close supervision is essential. Consider protective eyewear and set clear ground rules, such as no aiming at the face or eyes, no shooting at short distances, and no rough play in crowded or confined areas. These simple precautions can go a long way toward protecting your child’s vision.

How to Encourage Safe Play at Every Age

Picking safer toys is an important first step, but the way children use those toys matters just as much. Teaching age-appropriate safety habits can significantly lower the risk of eye injuries, especially when kids are excited, moving quickly, or sharing toys with siblings and friends.

• Babies and Toddlers (0-3 Years): Choose soft, lightweight toys without hard edges, sharp corners, or long handles. Keep small or detachable parts completely out of reach and avoid letting little ones walk or run while holding toys, especially anything with sticks, rods, or pointed ends.

• Preschoolers (3-5 Years): Introduce simple rules such as “toys stay away from faces” and “we never point toys at someone’s eyes.” Store older siblings’ toys separately, so younger children are not tempted to play with items that are not designed for their age group. Encourage calm, seated play with small pieces instead of running through the house with toys in hand.

• School-Aged Kids (6-12 Years): Review safety guidelines before they use sports equipment, flying toys, or ride-on items like bikes, scooters, and skateboards. Promote protective eyewear for high-impact sports, and remind kids that laser pointers, bright flashlights, and light-up toys should never be aimed at anyone’s eyes.

• Teens: Emphasize the importance of wearing safety glasses or goggles during activities like airsoft, paintball, yard work, shop class, woodworking, metalworking, or car repairs. Talk about how a serious eye injury can affect their long-term vision and encourage them to model safe behavior for younger siblings and friends.

What to Do If a Toy Injures Your Child’s Eye

Even with careful toy choices and clear playtime rules, accidents can still happen. If you suspect a toy has injured your child’s eye, staying calm and responding quickly can help protect their vision. Reassure your child and gently remind them not to rub or touch the eye, since rubbing can worsen a scratch or push a foreign object deeper. If you can see something embedded in the eye or eyelid, do not attempt to remove it yourself. If a mild irritant like dust, dirt, or a small amount of non-toxic liquid seems to be in the eye, you can gently rinse it with clean, room-temperature water or saline.

Some minor irritations may improve on their own, but many toy-related eye injuries should be evaluated by an eye doctor. When in doubt, it is always safer to have the eye checked. Contact an eye doctor as soon as possible if your child has:

• A cut or gash on the eyelid or around the eye

• An object stuck in the eye or eyelid

• Blood in the eye

• A sudden change or loss of vision

• A chemical, spray, or unknown substance splashed into the eye

• Severe pain or your child is unable/unwilling to open their eye