As holiday shopping begins, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents to look beyond price and packaging and check for the specific hazards that cause 15 child deaths and hundreds of thousands of emergency room injuries from toys every year in the United States. The most dangerous toys are not always the most obvious, and the most serious hazards are often completely invisible on the shelf.
The Leading Toy Hazards
Choking hazards and small parts. Children under three years old are at the highest risk of choking on small toy components. Any toy with parts small enough to fit entirely inside a 35mm film canister is a choking hazard for young children. CPSC requires warning labels on toys with small parts — look for them and take them seriously. Small balls, balloons, marble sets, and toys with small detachable components are among the most common choking hazard items.
High-powered magnets. Magnetic toy sets that contain small, high-powered magnets are among the most dangerous toys in existence. When a child swallows two magnets separately, they attract each other through intestinal walls, causing perforation, internal injuries, and deaths. CPSC has issued mandatory standards for toy magnets and continues to act against violative products — including sets from Shein and other online sellers that exceed legal magnet strength limits.
Button cell and coin batteries. Toys that contain button cell or coin batteries present a swallowing hazard. When swallowed, these batteries cause internal chemical burns that can be fatal. CPSC’s Reese’s Law requires strict labeling and battery compartment requirements for products containing these batteries — but many toys from unknown online sellers do not comply.
Strings and straps. Toys with strings or straps longer than 12 inches can strangle young children. Never give a toy with a long string or strap to a child under three.
Noise-producing toys. Toys that produce loud sounds can permanently damage a child’s hearing when held close to the ear or used for extended periods. CPSC warns that some toys on the market produce sounds at levels that exceed safe thresholds for children.
How to Shop Safely
- Match the toy to the child’s exact age — toy age recommendations exist because of documented safety data, not marketing.
- Look for certification marks from recognized testing laboratories on the packaging.
- Be especially cautious with toys purchased from unknown sellers on Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Shein — these platforms have repeatedly been flagged for violative children’s products.
- Check SaferProducts.gov and CPSC’s recall list before purchasing any toy this holiday season.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Toys/Toy-Safety
