Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Children Parents
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every December
Holiday emoji:: 🧸

Safe Toys and Gifts Month champions child safety throughout December. As the holiday season brings a flurry of gift-giving, it’s crucial to ensure every toy is age-appropriate and free from hazards. Learn how to make informed choices, prevent injuries, and create a truly joyful and safe experience for children everywhere.

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Platforms
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Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Observe

Expected Safe Toys and Gifts Month Deals

As Safe Toys and Gifts Month highlights critical safety concerns, commercial deals pivot from sales to awareness and fundraising. Organizations like World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) partner with retailers to promote safe toy guidelines. Expect major toy brands like LEGO and Fisher-Price to amplify their age-grading and safety testing information, often through online campaigns and in-store displays. Retailers such as Target and Walmart may feature sections dedicated to CPSC-approved products or offer donation matching for children’s safety initiatives. Online marketplaces like Amazon are encouraged to prominently display safety warnings and recall information. The focus remains on educating consumers and supporting advocacy groups working to prevent toy-related injuries. We will update this page with confirmed awareness campaigns and safety resources as December approaches.

Platform Guide for Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SafeToysMonth. Share visual guides on identifying toy hazards, age-appropriate gift ideas, or behind-the-scenes of safety testing.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #SafeToysMonth. Host a live Q&A with a child safety expert or share educational infographics for parents.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #SafeToysMonth. Disseminate quick tips for checking toy recalls or link to CPSC safety alerts in real-time during the month.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month Hero

Edward M. Swartz

Edward M. Swartz (1933–2010) was a pioneering consumer advocate and attorney who dedicated his career to fighting for product safety, particularly for children. He founded World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) in 1970, an organization that has since become a leading voice in toy safety. Swartz's annual '10 Worst Toys' list brought national attention to hazardous products, influencing legislation and encouraging manufacturers to prioritize child well-being. His relentless advocacy saved countless children from injury.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month timeline

2012

Minnesota took a stand

Minnesota law states that all toy manufacturers provide a report of children’s products that contain chemicals like lead, formaldehyde, and cadmium.

2010

ER visits jumped

Hospital emergency rooms treated more than a quarter of a million people due to unsafe toys (72 percent were less than 15 years old).

2008

CPSIA was passed

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act imposed what are arguably the toughest toy-making standards in the world.

2007

Massive toy recall

Manufacturers recalled more than 19 million toys due to safety concerns like small magnets and lead paint.

1988

Lawn darts were banned

The Consumer Product Safety Commission took action after three children died while playing with them.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Local businesses can significantly contribute to Safe Toys and Gifts Month by becoming community hubs for safety education. Toy stores can host workshops on identifying age-appropriate toys and offer free gift-wrapping with safety tags. Pediatric offices and daycares can distribute CPSC safety checklists and host informational sessions for parents. Retailers selling children’s products can highlight their safety testing processes and offer discounts on certified safe items. Partnering with local advocacy groups for a donation drive or a toy-recall awareness campaign can also demonstrate a strong commitment to child well-being.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month FAQs

When is Safe Toys and Gifts Month?

Safe Toys and Gifts Month 2026 runs throughout December, urging consumers to prioritize toy safety during the critical holiday gift-giving season.

How many children are injured by toys annually?

According to the U.S. CPSC, in 2024, there were an estimated 198,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, with children under 15 accounting for a significant portion. Tragically, 11 toy-related deaths were also reported.

What are common toy-related hazards?

Common toy hazards include choking on small parts, strangulation from cords or strings, lacerations from sharp edges, and impact injuries from projectiles. Battery ingestion and chemical exposure also pose serious risks, especially with poorly regulated products.

What regulations ensure toy safety in the U.S.?

In the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enforces strict regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This includes mandatory testing, labeling requirements, and limits on hazardous substances like lead and phthalates in children’s products.

How to Observe Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Inspect toys before purchasing
Look for sharp points, edges, and parts that can fly off. Also, check for durability should a child attempt to break, crush or pull toys apart. Furthermore, do not give toys with ropes, cords, or heating elements — and make sure crayons and markers are labeled “nontoxic.” Finally, it is important to NEVER give small toys with removable magnets or “button” batteries. These can cause serious injury or even death if ingested.
Make sure the toy is age-appropriate
Not every toy is meant for every child. Keep in mind the child’s age and development level (most toys offer an age range for guidance). If shopping for infants and children with special needs, look for toys that appeal to the senses (sound, light, movement, texture, etc.) And, finally, remember the rule: If the piece can fit in a toilet paper roll, it is not meant for children under 3 years of age.
Spread the word
Even the best parents can get it wrong. That’s why it’s crucial to share your knowledge about unsafe toys with fellow parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc. You can also use the hashtag #safetoy on social media.

3 Toy Shopping Tips To Remember

Toy hazards are real
Every year, more than 40,000 accidents occur involving unsafe toys (and that’s just in the UK).
The manufacturer isn’t the only one to blame
Faulty design isn’t the sole cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Usage and chance also play significant roles in these incidents.
And the winner is…
Every year, a TOTY (Toy of the Year) Award is presented to the top toys and games. These awards are known as the “Oscars” of the toy industry.

Why Safe Toys and Gifts Month is Important

It alerts us to choking hazards
Choking is a major risk for children when playing with toys — specifically when they're under 3 years old. Let's thoroughly inspect the level of choking risk for each toy we give.
It emphasizes child supervision
Toy manufacturers have come a long way in making their products safe for kids to enjoy. However, the best way to manage and reduce risk is to have an attentive adult watching.
We're more likely to pay attention
Buyers will want to make sure the toys have an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) label. This means that the toy has met the national safety standards.