A toy store can be an overwhelming place during the festive season. The sheer variety of colourful and adorable toys may tempt you to make a purchase based on their aesthetic and novelty factors alone, but while toys should be interesting and engaging, the most important thing is that they should not cause any injury to the child. Here are some safety reminders when selecting the right toys for your little ones this Christmas.

Age

Make sure that you buy toys that are appropriate for the child's age and developmental stage. Check the package for information on age recommendations and how the toy should be played with. Toys for older children may have small parts which can potentially cause choking in younger ones, or have designs that can trap little fingers. Such toys should be kept out of reach of younger children. Examples of age-appropriate toys include:

• Up to 1 year: Rattles, teethers, stackable rings, play gyms, play mats
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• 1 year: Musical toys, push-and-pull toys, slow, battery-powered ride-on vehicles
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• 2 years: Balls, ride-on vehicles, building sets, children's art supplies, child-sized household equipment such as toys - kitchen sets, toy dishes, little vacuum cleaners
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• 3 years: Large-piece puzzles, fashion dolls, role-play costumes and props - doctor's set, ballerina and other suitable costumes, cash register
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• 4 years: Children's percussive instruments, tea sets, construction sets, dress-up dolls, footballs, basketballs
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• 5 years: Dress up costumes, digital learning games, balloon toys, art and craft sets, science kits

Size

As a general rule: the toy and its parts should be larger than your child's mouth and nostrils. Think "big" when selecting toys for children three years and younger. Because part of a young child's sensorial development involves putting things into their mouth or nostrils, check that toys don't come with parts that can be swallowed or wedge up a nose. As a guide, if a toy or its parts can fit into a 35mm film canister, don't buy it for a child younger than three years.

Shape and quality

Pay attention to how a toy is shaped. It should not have rough edges or sharp objects that can injure the child's eyes and other parts of the body. Toys with moving portions that could pinch, cut or trap limbs should be avoided as well.

Toys should be solid, strong and well made. Avoid toys that are poorly made - a plush toy, for example, should not have buttons or eyes that could come loose easily and cause choking or loose stitching that will allow the stuffing to come out.

Materials used

Objects that children are exposed to must have non-flammable and non-toxic surfaces. This is especially important as children will spend a long time playing with their toys, inhaling the air surrounding them or stuffing them in their mouths. If you intend to buy art materials, ensure that they are labelled "non-toxic". Wooden pieces should have smooth surfaces that are unlikely to splinter if chewed. Never buy toys with metal parts for baby or toddlers.

Safe play

Think of children's safety during play as well. Gifts such as sporting equipment should be accompanied with the necessary protective gear. For example, roller blades or skateboards should come with a helmet and wrist pads, while a gift of a bicycle should be accompanied with an appropriate helmet.

Remind children to pack up their toys after playing. This will not only help to keep the house tidy, it also prevents children from tripping or falling over toys lying about.

We hope these reminders will help you select suitable toys for any child. The Health Promotion Board wishes you and the children in your life, a safe, healthy and merry Christmas.

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For more information, log on to the Health Promotion's Board Childhood Injury Prevention Programme (CHIPP) website at http://www.hpb.gov.sg/web/chipp/