Latest update November 18th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

SHOP SAFE TOYS AND PLAYTHINGS THIS CHRISTMAS

Dec 06, 2020 News, Standards in Focus

STANDARDS IN FOCUS…

Kaieteur News – The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) monitors toys and playthings under its Product Compliance Services Department to ensure importers and dealers offer items for sale that comply with labelling and quality requirements.
During this Christmas shopping season, monitoring of these items has intensified by the GNBS so that quality and safe toys can be placed into the hands of our young children.
Apart from the GNBS monitoring efforts, parents and guardians also have a significant role to play to guarantee the safe use of toys. Parents are encouraged to follow useful guidelines when selecting toys and playthings as gifts for their children who are the likely users.
Therefore, this Christmas season, we can make every effort to protect children from the use of unsafe toys and playthings by adhering to the following:
1. Read the label. Warning labels give important information about how to use a toy and for what ages certain toys are safe. Be sure to show your child how to use the toy the right way. Also, keep the product literature on hand in case of future questions.
2. Think Large. Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking. To avoid choking and other dangers, take caution with toys that can be unassembled by children into many tiny pieces.
3. Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. These toys can cause serious eye injuries.
4. Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child’s hearing. It is better to select toys that have volume control. Toys are subject to safety standards that limit the sound level, but it’s a good idea to listen to toys that make sounds before buying to make sure they are appropriate for the child. Acceptable levels of sound are often a matter of personal preference, so look for toys with volume control to adjust the sound for your family environment.
5. Look for stuffed toys that are well made. Make sure all the parts are on tightly and seams and edges are secured. These toys should also be machine washable. Take off any loose ribbons or strings that may cause strangulation.
6. Buy sturdy plastic toys. Toys made from thin plastic may break easily. To ensure you get good value, make sure that toys purchased can stand up to the rigours of the child’s play.
7. Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning. Make sure the label says “nontoxic” before you make the purchase.
8. Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 10 years. They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous chemicals. Make sure your older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of toys.
9. Electric toys should be “UL Approved” or carry any other certification mark. Check the label to be sure as this indicates that the toys were tested for quality and safety requirements.
10. Lastly, parents, age recommendations on toys can be helpful because they offer guidelines on the following:
• The safety of the toy (for example, if there any possible choking hazards).
• The ability of a child to play with the toy.
• The ability of a child to understand how to use a toy.
• The needs and interests at various levels of a child’s development.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
For further information on this subject, call the GNBS on Telephone number: 219-0065 or visit the Bureau’s website: www.gnbsgy.org

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Brewley’s ‘glut’ inspires Hard Knocks to ExxonMobil Futsal Championship Finals 

Brewley’s ‘glut’ inspires Hard Knocks to ExxonMobil Futsal...

Nov 18, 2024

-YMCA awaits in $1M Showdown on November 23  Kaieteur Sports –Futsal fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden on Saturday evening as Hard Knocks and YMCA...
Read More
Final T20 between England and West Indies washed out

Final T20 between England and West Indies washed...

Nov 18, 2024

Zion Gray propels Eagles to GBF Elite 16 Semi-Finals 

Zion Gray propels Eagles to GBF Elite 16...

Nov 18, 2024

Looknauth stars as Anacondas lift inaugural GCB betCageSports National T20 Title

Looknauth stars as Anacondas lift inaugural GCB...

Nov 18, 2024

Gold is Money wins inaugural Chung Global ‘Champion of Champions’ Tournament

Gold is Money wins inaugural Chung Global...

Nov 18, 2024

Afraz Budhoo – A promising cricketing star on the horizon 

Afraz Budhoo – A promising cricketing star...

Nov 18, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]