Toy Safety: Essential Considerations for Toy Creators and Designers

When it comes to toy creation and design, safety is arguably the most crucial to focus on because kids will not want to play with a toy that can put them in danger. It is the toy creators and innovators responsibility to ensure the well-being of the children as one slip up could potentially lead to a lot of trouble. In an interview on “Making It on The Toy Industry”, Azhelle Wade shares an in-depth guide into the crucial aspects of toy safety, from understanding regulatory requirements to implementing practical design considerations that go beyond the basics.

Understanding Toy Safety Regulations

The landscape of toy safety is governed by various regulatory bodies, with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) taking the lead in the United States. As a federal agency, the CPSC is tasked with protecting the public from unreasonable risks associated with consumer products, including toys. Let's break down the key points every toy creator should be aware of:

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

The CPSC enforces mandatory safety standards for all toys sold in the US. These standards are not optional; they are legal requirements that every toy must meet before it can be marketed to consumers.

2. ASTM F963:

This is the cornerstone standard for toy safety in the US. Established under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, ASTM F963 sets out the mandatory consumer product safety standards for children's toys. It covers a wide range of potential hazards and applies to any product designed or marketed as a toy for children under 14 years of age.

3. Special Considerations for Arts and Crafts:

If your product falls under the arts and crafts category, it must also comply with ASTM D4236. This standard focuses on the toxicity of materials, requiring testing of components like glues, paints, and even pencils to ensure they are safe for use.

4. Regional Variations:

It's important to remember that safety standards can vary by region. For instance, the European Union has its own set of safety standards and labeling requirements. When expanding into new markets, always research and comply with the specific regulations of that region.

Why Toy Safety Matters

The importance of toy safety cannot be overstated. There are two primary reasons why every toy creator should prioritize safety:

1. Legal and Financial Consequences:

Not following safety regulations can result in severe penalties. Fines can range from $100,000 for every violation to a staggering $15 million in extreme cases. These are not just theoretical; there have been real-world examples of companies facing significant financial repercussions. For instance, a toy company was once required to pay a $2 million civil penalty for violations of federal safety laws and was subsequently barred from importing children's products and toys to the US.

2. Preventing Injuries:

Deaths and injuries by unsafe toys are even more concerning than the financial risks. In 2022 alone, there were 145,500 toy-related injuries treated in US emergency departments for children ages 12 and under. These incidents ranged from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries requiring hospitalization. Even more alarmingly, there were 11 toy-related deaths involving children 14 and younger in the same year. While not all of these incidents happened due to product defects, many could potentially have been prevented through more rigorous safety measures and thoughtful design.

Ensuring Toy Safety Compliance

Given the serious implications of non-compliance, how can toy creators ensure their products meet all necessary safety standards? Here are the key steps:

1. Third-Party Testing:

All children's toy products must be tested for compliance by a CPSC-accredited laboratory. This is not a step that can be skipped. As the product creator, it's your responsibility to ensure this testing takes place.

2. Obtain a Children's Product Certificate:

Based on passing test results, you'll be issued a Children's Product Certificate. This document is crucial evidence of your product's compliance with safety standards. Keep in mind that if your product changes after certification, you may need to resubmit for testing.

3. Implement Tracking Information:

Include permanent tracking information on your toy products. This allows for easy identification in case of any safety issues or recalls in the future.

4. Proper Age Grading and Labeling:

Ensure your product is labeled with appropriate age recommendations. This is not just about marketing; it's an important safety measure. For example, a construction set with small parts might be perfectly safe for a 10-year-old but pose a choking hazard for a toddler.

5. Consider Multiple Standards:

Depending on the nature of your product, you may need to comply with multiple safety standards. For instance, an arts and crafts toy would need to meet both toy safety standards and the specific standards for art materials.

Going Beyond Basic Safety: The Design Safety Mindset

Responsible toy companies often go above and beyond to ensure safety. This involves adopting a comprehensive design safety mindset from the very beginning of the product development process.

One valuable framework for this approach is the Design Safety Hierarchy, a concept taught in the Kid Safety Design Toolkit. This hierarchy consists of three levels:

1. Eliminate Potential Hazards:

This is the most effective way to ensure safety. At this level, toy creators should rethink their product's fundamental design to remove possible dangers. For example, when designing a crib, consider how traditional folding mechanisms might fail and explore non-folding designs that increase safety and stability.

2. Guard Against Injury:

If hazards can't be completely eliminated, the next best step is to add protective features to prevent or reduce the risk of injury. This might involve adding a broader, stabler base to a high chair to prevent tripping, or incorporating an automatic shutoff feature in an electronic toy to prevent overheating.

3. Warn About Hazards:

As a last resort, use clear, durable warning labels to inform users about potential risks. However, it's crucial to think beyond just placing warnings on packaging. Consider how you can integrate warnings into the product itself so they remain visible and effective long after purchase.

Real-World Safety Considerations

Adopting a design safety mindset requires predicting and designing for how children will actually interact with toys in real-world scenarios. Here are some considerations:

1. Unexpected Use:

Children are incredibly creative and may use toys in ways we never anticipated. A stuffed animal, for instance, might be dragged outside, used as a pillow, or incorporated into imaginative play scenarios far removed from its intended use. How can your design accommodate these possibilities safely?

2. Environmental Factors:

Consider the various environments where your toy might be used. A toy designed for indoor use might end up at the beach or in a bathtub. How can you ensure it remains safe in these different contexts?

3. Sibling Interactions:

If you're designing a product for a specific age group, consider how younger or older siblings might interact with it. A high chair, for example, might seem safe for its intended user but could pose risks if an older sibling tries to climb on it.

4. Long-Term Use:

Think about how your product might wear over time. Are there components that could become hazardous if they break or degrade? How can you design for durability and continued safety?

5. Visibility of Warnings:

Consider innovative ways to keep safety information visible throughout the product's lifespan. Could warning symbols be embossed directly onto plastic components? Could removable stickers be replaced with permanent markings?

Case Study: Rethinking High Chair Design

Let's apply these principles to a common product: a high chair. A standard approach might focus on making the chair sturdy and including appropriate warning labels on the packaging. But let's think deeper:

1. Elimination: 

Can we redesign the chair to lower its center of gravity, making it inherently more stable and less likely to tip?

2.Guarding: 

Could we incorporate a wider base that automatically extends when the chair is in use?

3.Warning:

 Instead of relying solely on packaging, could we integrate clear visual icons directly onto the chair's surface to continually remind caregivers of safe usage?

4. Unexpected Use:

 How can we address the possibility of older siblings climbing on the chair or a child using the tray as a step?

5. Long-Term Safety: 

Can we use materials that maintain their integrity over time, even with frequent cleaning and exposure to food spills?

By considering these factors, we can create a product that's truly designed with real-world safety in mind.

Taking Action on Toy Safety

As toy creators and designers, we have a responsibility to prioritize safety at every stage of product development. Here are some actionable steps you can take:

1. Stay Informed: 

Keep up-to-date with the latest safety regulations and standards in your target markets. Regulatory requirements can change, and it's crucial to stay ahead of these changes.

2. Invest in Testing: 

Don't cut corners when it comes to safety testing. Work with reputable, accredited laboratories to ensure your products meet all necessary standards.

3. Think Beyond Compliance: 

While meeting regulatory requirements is essential, challenge yourself to go further. How can you make your product even safer than the standards require?

4. Incorporate Safety from the Start: 

Don't treat safety as an afterthought. Make it an integral part of your design process from the very beginning.

5. Learn from Others: 

Study recall notices and safety incidents in the toy industry. What can you learn from these cases to improve your own designs?

6. Engage in Continuous Improvement: 

Regularly review your existing products. Are there aspects that could be improved from a safety perspective? Don't wait for problems to arise; be proactive in enhancing the safety of your toys.

7. Educate Your Team: 

Ensure everyone involved in the design and production process understands the importance of toy safety and is familiar with relevant regulations and best practices.

8. Consider Taking a Course: 

There are resources available, such as the Kid Safety Design Toolkit, that can provide valuable insights into designing safer products. Investing time in such educational opportunities can pay dividends in the form of safer, more successful products.

Toy Safety For Everyone

Toy safety is not just about meeting regulations – it's about creating products that parents can trust and children can enjoy without risk. By prioritizing safety from the earliest stages of design and going beyond mere compliance, we contribute to a safer, more enjoyable play experience for children everywhere.

Let's commit to making safety an integral part of our creative process, not a box to be checked, but a fundamental principle that guides every decision we make. In doing so, we can create toys that spark joy, inspire imagination, and provide peace of mind to parents and caregivers everywhere.

To learn more about toy safety check out these podcasts episodes: