Buying toys for the holiday season

The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6 is reminding the public to take  precaution in buying toys as gifts for children this holiday season.

Delia Tarrosa, Chief of the Licensing and Regulatory Division of DOH-6, said that people should choose toys which are not only appealing and interesting but suitable to the child’s physical abilities, mental and social development.

Tarrosa said that a good toy should be well constructed, durable, and safe for the child’s age.

She said that buyers should check the labels on the packaging and observe precaution appearing on the labels to ensure the safety of the child.

She said that a new law, Republic Act 10620 otherwise known as “Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013” requires that all toys and games manufactured here or abroad that are imported, distributed, and sold in the Philippines contain cautionary and safety labels to protect children against potential hazards to health.

“The label should give information about the toy’s components, ingredients, attributes, and directions for use, as well as safety warnings,” she also said.

The DOH official is also reminding parents to ensure that the child will play with a toy suited for his/her age under adult supervision.

She also said that for children under age three, the following toys should not be bought: (1) balls with a diameter of 1.75 inches or less so as to prevent choking; (2) toys that easily breaks into small parts; (3) toys containing small detachable parts or pieces that could become lodged in the throat; (4) those with sharp points, edges and with electrical parts, and; (5) those with parts that could pinch or entrap fingers, toes or hair.

She added that plastic packaging should be disposed accordingly and keeping it out of reach of children. (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)