Choosing age-appropriate toys and checking them regularly for broken parts, loose batteries, and small pieces. Look for ASTM F963 certification on toys sold in the US. Magnets and button batteries are especially dangerous if swallowed.
Related Terms
Any small object, food, or toy part that can block a child's airway. Kids under 3 are at the highest risk because they explore everything by putting it in their mouths. A quick rule of thumb: if it fits through a toilet paper roll, it's a choking hazard.
A cylinder that simulates the size of a young child's throat, used to test whether a toy or object is a choking hazard. If something fits entirely inside the tube, it's too small for kids under 3. You can use a toilet paper roll as a rough substitute at home.
ASTM International develops safety standards for thousands of products, including toys (ASTM F963), cribs (ASTM F1169), and play yards (ASTM F406). When you see "meets ASTM standards" on a baby product, it means it passed specific safety tests. Not all countries use ASTM, so check for it on imported products.
Button batteries (those small, round, coin-shaped batteries) can cause fatal injuries if swallowed. They burn through tissue in as little as two hours. Secure battery compartments on all devices, and if you think a child swallowed one, go to the ER immediately.