Toy Box Safety

Prevent bumps, bruises, and worse

Every year the Consumer Products Safety Commission receives reports of injury and even death to toddlers caused by toy boxes. Most often these accidents are the result of toy box lids falling down unexpectedly and causing head injuries or trapping the child. In addition to these serious injuries, toy boxes are often the cause of countless bumps, bruises, and pinches that could be avoided with some simple precautions.

When shopping for a new plastic or wooden toy box for your child's room, look for toy boxes with lightweight lids that can be opened easily by your child. Lids should never have any kind of latch or lock and should be able to be opened from the inside in case your child ever crawls or falls in. For this reason, too, the inside of plastic and wooden toy boxes should be well ventilated.

Toy boxes with safety hinges that prop the lid open automatically at any position are another way to prevent accidental slamming.

Cutouts on the sides and front of the toy box just under the lid will prevent pinched fingers when closing the toy box.

If you already own a toy box that doesn't include these safety features, the best way to make it safe for your child is to remove the lid completely.

The paints and stains of new toy boxes are required to be non-toxic and child safe, but it's wise to check for sure.

Also look for toy boxes that are free of sharp corners and edges. Corners that seem dangerous should be sanded round or covered with soft plastic or foam protectors.

You take great care choosing toys that are not sharp or pose choking or suffocation hazards. The toy box that you store those toys in should be just as safe for you child.

More information on toy boxes