Toys for young children

Protecting the healthy development of children and youth is a shared social mission, as they are the foundation of our country's future. For the same reasons, consumer protection has a key role to play in ensuring children's right to proper physical, mental and moral development.

Consumer protection can perform this task with its own set of objectives and instruments in areas where the consumer-business relationship is involved, such as when products are sold or advertised. In this wide-ranging area, consumers, including children who are particularly vulnerable consumers, have been faced with new challenges in recent years.

Children therefore need to be protected as a priority, whether in their traditional consumer role, i.e. shopping in shops, using services or even in the online space. Consumer protection is linked to child protection in legislation, enforcement and consumer awareness.

What is a good toy?

• Suitable for the child's abilities, age and talents,

• stimulates creativity,

• is safe,

• is exciting and varied,

• does not get boring in a short time,

• gives pleasure,

• is durable.

When buying a toy, please check:

• Only buy toys from trustworthy places.

• Look for the conformity mark on the toy or packaging. If you can't find it, it means that either the product is not intended for children or the toy is probably unsafe for children to use.

• Do not buy the toy suggested for children over 3 years of age for children under 3 years of age! Please make sure you take note of the age group marking. Toys made for older children may be dangerous for younger children.

• Make sure the game is fit for purpose. Remember that there can be big differences between children of similar ages in terms of ability and development.

• Small, detachable toys can be swallowed or inhaled by younger children and can cause choking.

• Sharp points and edges can cause injury.

• Check for any parts of the toy where a child's finger could get stuck.

• Unwinding ribbons, long strings should not be on the toy.

• In many cases, small toys are also sold packaged with food. Do not buy or give such toys to small children.

• Look for and ask for instructions in English. We should be aware that simple toys - when the method of use is obvious, e.g. plastic ball, rattle - do not need instructions. However, it is necessary to inform the purchaser about the cleanability of the toy.

• Check whether the warning labels tell you how to avoid or reduce the risks.