With the scare of all the lead in the toys today is no wonder parents are worried about their children's safety.  First and foremost parents should be sure they are allowing the use of age appropriate toys with their children.  If a toy is recommended by the manufacturer for toddlers ages 2 and up this does not mean it is ok for his/her younger 6 month old to play with it too.  And the same goes for toys that are made for children ages 10 and up.  A younger 6 year old should not be allowed to play with big brother's toy.  Keeping older children toys out of reach of younger children at times may seem like a hassle but it should be watched and done to protect your child's safety.  When buying toys online most retailers will have a breakdown of their toys in an age category, making it easy to shop for the right toy for your child.  And, if you are buying a toy as a gift then by all means ask the parent the age of the child before shopping.  This will help provide you with the peace of mind knowing your toy will be used, because it was designed for the child's age and by lessening the chance that the parent will have to deny the child to play with it once it has been received.  Most parents appreciate it if you ask their child's age if you plan on buying a toy as a gift.  It saves them the battle that may start with their child if the toys is denied and from them having to possibly exchange it at the store later.

Another thing to look for when buying toys is to be sure they are made with lead free paints and are non-toxic dyes.  Children have a tendency to put toys in their mouths.  Heck they'll chew on just about anything.  Just take a peek at a 3rd grader's pencil…yuck!  Even with the scare of lead paint on toys today there are still many manufacturer's who "do" routinely check for lead appearing in their painted toys.  The key says award winning toy manufacturer Melissa & Doug "..is that you have to test and inspect very frequently to be sure that your factories are always following your instructions explicitly."  They continue to say "that is the most important part of the process, and it's something our company has always taken VERY seriously."  Melissa & Doug, known for their colorful, non-toxic toys for babies, toddler and children offer an adorable collection that includes baby's first key ring, plush animals, and chunky puzzles for toddlers!