Safe Toy Awareness Month: How to Maintain Children's Toy Safety

Why Children’s Toy Safety Matters for Eye Health

Children explore their world with curiosity and plenty of energy, which is one reason toy-related eye injuries are more common than many families realize. A toy does not need to look dangerous to cause harm. Fast-moving parts, sharp corners, hard plastic surfaces, or tiny loose pieces can all put a child’s eyes at risk. These accidents can cause scratches on the clear surface of the eye (corneal abrasions), bruising around the eye, cuts on the eyelids, or irritation and infection.

During the holidays and other busy seasons, many households see a sudden wave of new toys. Kids are excited, routines are disrupted, and playtime is often more energetic and less closely supervised. Together, these factors create an environment where accidental eye injuries are more likely. By keeping toy safety in mind during Safe Toy Awareness Month and throughout the year, parents and caregivers can lower the risk of eye injuries and help children enjoy their new toys safely.

Finding Safe Toys for Children

Selecting safer toys is one of the easiest ways to protect your child’s eyesight. The goal is not to limit their imagination or fun, but to avoid toys that are more likely to poke, scratch, or strike the eyes. Use the tips below as a quick checklist whenever you shop in stores or online.

Make Sure They’re Age-Appropriate

Choose toys that match your child’s age and developmental stage. Age recommendations on toy packaging are there to help ensure that the size, design, and features are appropriate for a child’s abilities 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.

Take a moment to read the safety information on the packaging. Look for warnings about projectiles, small components, or chemicals. If a toy has several caution labels, it may not be the best option for younger or very active children.

Be Careful with Small Parts

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

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

Choose Durable, Well-Made Toys

Toys that crack, chip, or snap during normal play can quickly become dangerous. Lower-quality materials may break into sharp fragments that could injure a child’s eyes. Look for 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 with everyday use.

For ride-on toys, sports equipment, and other active play items, choose solid, well-constructed products that can withstand regular play without falling apart. Stronger toys are more likely to hold up—and less likely to create unexpected sharp edges or flying pieces.

Inspect for Sharp Edges

Some toys seem harmless at first glance but have rough seams, sharp corners, or small protruding parts that could scratch or poke a child’s eye. Run your hand along the toy’s surfaces and edges to feel for anything that seems jagged, pointed, or raised. If something feels harsh or sharp to the touch, it is safer to look for a different option.

Avoid toys with exposed metal edges, thin wires, or narrow rods that could bend and jab during play. Even a stiff piece of plastic or wire can cause a serious eye injury if it hits the eye at the wrong angle.

Avoid Toys with Projectiles

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

If you decide to allow these types of toys in your home, close supervision is essential. Consider using protective eyewear and set firm rules: no aiming at faces or eyes, no shooting at close distances, and no rough play in tight or crowded spaces. These simple precautions can make a big difference in protecting your child’s vision while they play.

How to Support Safe Play at Every Age

Choosing safer toys is a great start, but the way children play with those toys is just as important. 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 any toys with small or detachable parts far 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): Begin reinforcing simple safety rules like “toys stay away from faces” and “we never point toys at someone’s eyes.” Store older siblings’ toys in a separate area so younger children are not tempted by items that are not designed for their age. Encourage calm, seated play with smaller pieces instead of running through the house with toys in hand.

• School-Aged Kids (6-12 Years): Review safety guidelines before they use sports gear, flying toys, or ride-on items such as 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 for activities like airsoft, paintball, yard work, shop class, woodworking, metalworking, or car repairs. Talk about how a serious eye injury could 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 thoughtful 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 see something embedded in the eye or eyelid, do not try to remove it yourself. If it appears that a mild irritant—such as dust, dirt, or a small amount of non-toxic liquid—has gotten into 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 you are unsure, 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