Each year, scores of kids are treated in hospital emergency
departments for toy-related injuries. With so many toys on the
market and new ones arriving every day, it's important to make
sure the toys your child plays with are safe. Manufacturers
follow certain guidelines and label most new toys for specific
age groups. But perhaps the most important thing a parent can do
— especially when it comes to younger school-age children — is
to supervise play. What to Look for The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) closely monitors and regulates toys.
Any toys made in, or imported into, the United States after 1995
must comply with CPSC standards. Here are some general
guidelines to keep in mind when toy-shopping: Toys made of
fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant.
Stuffed toys should be washable. Painted toys should be covered
with lead-free paint. Art materials should say nontoxic. Crayons
and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means
that they've been evaluated b