A pediatrician reveals a simple method to quickly identify toys at risk of suffocation in young children. A daily gesture that can avoid many of the emergency rooms.
Familiar toys that can become dangerous
Balls, small cars, figurines, dolls or even felts … Our houses are full of objects that children love manipulating. If these toys are safe for a child over 5 years old, they represent a real risk for the youngest. The main danger? The accidental ingestion of small parts, which can lead to suffocation and lead urgently to the hospital. But how do you know if an object is suitable or not to your child?
Toilet roll test
Doctor ALEV, a pediatrician very followed on Instagram, offers a simple and effective tip: the test of the toilet paper roll. The principle is clear:
If a toy or an object passes through a roll of toilet paper, it is too small and therefore potentially dangerous for a child under 5 years old.
The pediatrician recalls that the toys responsible for the greatest number of accidents are:
- Small balls, main causes of suffocation;
- The scooters and tricycles, which cause many falls;
- Latex balloons, which have a risk of suffocation when they break out.
His advice: favor metal balloons in Mylar, safer than traditional balloons.
How to secure the games of the little ones
For Doctor ALEV, it is not a question of depriving children of toys, but of securing their use. Here are his recommendations:
- Adapt the choice of toys at the age of the child and avoid objects with small parts during the oral phase;
- Always monitor the child when he plays with potentially risky objects;
- Favor certified toys, bearing the CE logo or the standard EN 71, ensuring that they comply with strict safety requirements.
By applying these simple tips, parents can let their children play with confidence, without fear of unpleasant surprises.