Buying Soft Toys Safely

FAMILY · GLOBAL

Buying Soft Toys Safely

Safety marks and age labels, what to check, cot rules and washing

Soft toys are given without much thought and are one of the categories where safety marking genuinely matters, particularly for the youngest children.

Safety marking

Look for a CE or UKCA mark and the manufacturer's name and address, which are legal requirements. The under-three warning is a safety classification about small parts rather than a judgement about ability.

Be cautious of unbranded toys from marketplaces, where compliance is inconsistent and several recalls have followed.

What to check physically

Eyes and noses should be securely fixed rather than glued on — tug them firmly. Seams should be strong, with no gaps letting stuffing out, and there should be no ribbons, cords or long hair that could wrap around a neck.

Check for button batteries in anything that lights up or makes sound. These must be behind a compartment closed with a screw, and swallowing one is a medical emergency.

Nothing in the cot

Safe sleep guidance is consistent that cots should be clear for the first year — no toys, pillows, bumpers or comforters. Soft toys belong in the room rather than the sleep space.

Small comforters are sometimes introduced later on health visitor advice, and that is a conversation to have rather than an assumption.

Washing

Check the label — many go in a pillowcase on a gentle cycle. Wash a favourite regularly, since these accumulate dust and allergens, and dry thoroughly before returning it.

Buy two identical ones of anything that becomes a comfort object, which prevents a genuine crisis.

Choosing by age

For babies, simple, washable and with no detachable parts. For toddlers, something they can carry and that survives being dragged everywhere. Older children generally want a character rather than a specification.

Check the toy is machine washable before it becomes a favourite, since it will need washing.

Donating them

Charities usually accept clean soft toys in good condition with intact labels, though many cannot take anything without a safety mark. Ask before bagging things up.

Washing and hygiene

Wash favourites regularly at the temperature the label allows, and dry thoroughly, since a damp toy grows mould inside where you cannot see it. A pillowcase or a mesh bag protects them in the machine.

For anything not washable, a spell in a sealed bag in the freezer kills dust mites.

How many

Children form attachments to one or two and ignore the rest, so a small number of good ones beats a pile. Rotate the others out of sight and bring them back occasionally.

Older toys

Inherited and vintage toys may not meet current standards, particularly the eyes. Keep them for display rather than for a baby.

WHERE TO BUY

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