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The following list tells you the types of toys that require age labeling or safety labeling and explains why the labels are needed. 1. Crib gyms, crib exercisers, and activity toys intended to be strung across a crib or playpen by means of string, cord, elastic, or straps must be age graded for infants up to five months and must be labeled “WARNING: Possible entanglement or strangulation injury. Remove toy when baby begins to push up on hands and knees.” This labeling requirement came about because injury data showed that when infants are beginning to lift themselves to a crouching or crawling position, they don’t yet have sufficient strength to control their movements and can fall onto or flop over a crib gym or toys suspended across their crib (see illustration on p. 33). Since a baby cannot lift his head off the cord or suspended material, the weight of his head puts pressure on the front of his neck, and he is strangled. 2. Mobiles must be age graded for birth to five months and must be labeled “WARNING: Possible entanglement injury. Keep out of baby’s reach.” Mobiles intended to be attached to a crib or playpen must also be labeled “Remove mobile from crib or playpen when baby begins to push up on hands and knees.” These requirements are intended to prevent infants’getting tangled in the strings or cords that suspend items from mobiles or that are part of the mobile itself. Fingers are at the highest risk of being wrapped tightly, cutting off blood supply. More severe injuries include strangling or hanging when a child’s clothing gets caught on a protrusion from the mobile, such as a clamp or screw. 3. Toys intended to be strung across strollers or carriages by means of string, cord, elastic, or straps must be labeled “WARNING: Possible entanglement or strangulation injury when attached to a crib or playpen. Do not attach to crib or playpen.” This label reminds parents and caregivers that suspended toys that are safe for a seated child may pose a tangling or strangling hazard for a child lying or crouching in a crib or playpen. Stroller and carriage toys should be used only with strollers and carriages. 4. Toys intended for children at least three years old but younger than six years and containing small parts must be labeled “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD— Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.” The labeling requirement for toys with small parts began when injury data showed that young children were playing with older children’s toys and choking on small pieces that were legitimate parts of those toys. Toys intended for children at least three years old but younger than eight years and containing small balls or marbles must be labeled “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD— Toy is [or contains] a small ball [or marble]. Not for children under 3 yrs.” A small ball is defined as having a diameter less than 1³⁄₄ inches. The small ball and marble labeling requirements are in place because these products pose a serious choking hazard. They can easily block the back of the throat or the opening of the airway and are extremely difficult to dislodge. Marbles can be a choking hazard even for children as old as five years. Compared with other shapes, toys with round shapes pose the highest risk of choking death. 5. Latex balloons and toys and games that contain a latex balloon must be labeled “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD— Children under 8 yrs. can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Adult supervision required. Keep uninflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.” The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that between the late 1980s and today, latex balloons have caused more choking deaths of children younger than five years than any other product. Children through age eight are at risk of choking on balloons, but children younger than one year are especially at risk. Inflated balloons are not the problem; it’s uninflated and broken balloons that cause the choking hazard. If a child inhales in preparation to blow up a balloon or puts a piece of broken balloon into her mouth, she can draw the balloon or piece of balloon to the back of her throat, where it “molds” in place. Balloon pieces are extremely difficult to extract. 6. Simulated protective devices, such as toy helmets, must be labeled to inform parents and caregivers that these devices are toys and are not intended for injury protection. This requirement alerts adults not to expect their child to get true injury protection from such a device. The only products that provide injury protection are those that meet specific requirements or standards, such as the bicycle helmet standard. 7. Flotation toys, such as inflatable rings and water noodles, must be labeled “WARNING: This is not a lifesaving device. Do not leave child unattended while in use.” This labeling requirement is to prevent adults from mistaking toy flotation devices for true lifesavers or life jackets. The only actual lifesaving devices are those approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. 8. Toys with sharp points or edges that are functional— for example, a play sewing machine with needles— must be labeled to warn of their sharp contents. Toys with functional sharp points and edges are intended for children at least four years old. The label informs parents and caregivers of the potential hazard and enables them to decide whether they want to purchase the toy and whether the toy is appropriate for the particular child and household. 9. Art materials, such as crayons, paints, glues, and craft supplies, must be tested for chronic toxicity (that is, the ability to cause cancer, nerve damage, or birth defects) and labeled to state their compliance with applicable standards. The Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act, passed in 1988, established this requirement. Some art materials contain hazardous chemicals that could have toxic effects when used over long periods of time. Since 1990, such art materials must be labeled to indicate the possible long-term effects. Children’s products are not allowed to contain any hazardous chemicals. Look for the label stating, “Conforms to ASTM D-4236” to be sure a product has been tested and found to be not toxic.