You’ve been poring over catalogues and looking over reviews of different toys, trying to make sure they’re perfectly safe for your child to use, and you're starting to feel increasingly anxious about proofing their play space properly. How can you make sure your child is playing safely?

It’s natural to feel a bit anxious when trying to buy things that your child will love to play with. There could be a risk that the toy could break or that your child could swallow it, and it’s even harder to make sure that their play space is safe for them to explore without accident or injury.

But don’t worry! Let us guide you through the tricky world of toys and play spaces to help you find what’s suitable for your little one, and also explore what might be a potential hazard.

How can I make sure my child’s toys are safe for them to use?

It can be hard buying toys for your child. In the span of 3 – 5 years old, your child will play with a wide range of toys, with each age needing different requirements. Here are our top tips when choosing a toy for your child:

Check to see whether the toy is appropriate for your child’s age. Manufacturers will put guidelines on the packaging.

Toys should be made of sturdy materials that won’t break if dropped or banged.

Make sure that there are no small parts that could potentially be swallowed by a curious child.

If you have an older child, make sure their toys are kept separately and out of reach of the younger child.

When playing with balloons, keep an eye on your child. Keep any deflated or popped balloons out of reach, as the child could swallow them.

Avoid buying toys that require plugging into an electrical outlet. They could potentially get shocked. Instead, buy toys with batteries, making sure that the battery cover is closed by a screw.

Now that we’ve looked at what factors go into a safe toy, let’s have a look at your play areas, and what we can do to make sure your little one is safe using it.

How do I child-proof my child’s play area?

Here are our top tips for making sure your little one’s play area is safe and ideal for them to use:

Make sure it’s a wide-open space, not cramped and small. Your child needs space to play and explore.

You can buy soft rugs that you can remove to clean if there are any accidents. These soft rugs can protect your child if they fall over.

Ideally, the play space should have nice bright colours and good ventilation.

Any corners should be covered with a child-proof bumper.

If you have a dedicated room for play, consider removing the door. This means you can keep an eye on them even if you’re not in the same room.

Keep toys in boxes without lids. Heavy lids can trap fingers and could potentially trap a child if the box is big enough.

If you have chairs and cabinets, check to see how stable they are. If they’re top-heavy or wobbly, they could fall on your child.

Make sure all electrical outlets have child-proof covers on them.

Make sure that the windows have locks, or window guards which allow the window to only open part-way.

How can I make sure my child’s toys and play spaces are safe?

Keep playtime safe for everyone with Unii's tips.