Faced with the huge shelves of toys, it is not easy to choose the ideal gift for Baby. Supporting studies, substances harmful to the health of toddlers are regularly pointed out in toys. Anne Barre, Director of WECF France (Women in Europe for a Common Future) teaches you to keep your eyes open.
What is the first instinct before buying a toy?
Feel it, especially for plastic toys. If there is a strong smell of plastic or perfume, beware! This toy may contain phalates or formaldehydes, qualified as endocrine disruptors.
Before the age of three, scented toys should be avoided. No less than 90% of the perfumes used are volatile chemical musks, sources of allergies for toddlers.
Another precaution: check that there are no offensive contours or pieces liable to tear off.
What are the preferred materials?
Basic materials. The simpler the toy, the greater the security. Prefer games in solid rubberwood, without paint. For cuddly toys and dolls, bet on certified organic fabric models, such as cotton. Toddlers tend to chew on their blanket. All the more reason to avoid any risk of contamination from pesticides, dyes or other chemicals.
Is a wooden toy necessarily safe?
No, some toys are made from slats of wood or chipboard. They may then contain formaldehydes. If in the composition of the toy, you find the mention “MDF”, beware of the trap! Clearly, the wood used does not come from a solid plate. However, be aware that the mention of the composition is not mandatory.
Should we abandon plastic toys?
Not necessarily, because there are several types of plastics. The least dangerous are PP (polypropylene) and ABS plastic.
These raw materials have the advantage of being stable and contain neither BPA nor phthalates.
In general, avoid soft plastics.