Summer is the perfect time for kids to stay active and play with swings, slides, and activity toys, transforming any room or backyard into a playground of excitement and laughter. To ensure the safety of children during playtime, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds the public on the importance of the safe and proper use of slides, swings, and other similar activity toys.
Activity toys are toys intended for family domestic use. These are intended to bear the mass of one or more children, often attached to or incorporating a crossbeam and intended for children to play on or in. These include activity toys that can be used either indoors or outdoors. Examples of these activity toys include slides, swings, seesaws, carousels, rocking toys, tunnels, and jungle gyms.
Engaging in active play has a crucial role in promoting holistic development in children by providing opportunities for physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and emotional expression. They contribute to a child’s overall growth and well-being, making them essential tools in early childhood development.
It is, however, important to practice caution when playing with activity toys in order to avoid any unintended injury. Activity toys are intended to be used under adult supervision at all times. Consumers, especially parents and guardians of children, are advised to:
- Use play equipment properly. Select the appropriate play equipment for your child’s age and skills.
- Read the label and check the intended use, age grading, instructions for use, assembly, installation and maintenance, and other warnings or cautionary statements.
- Look out for entanglement hazards such as open hooks, protrusions, projections and exposed bolts that can entrap a child’s clothing.
- Dress children appropriately for play. Avoid the use of long or loose clothing and accessories like necklaces, scarves, purse, hood, and drawstrings.
- Beware of openings and gaps that are large enough for a child’s feet to pass through, but not their heads.
- Ensure that the child is in a designated play area with a protective surface and enough room for movement.
Activity toys that are authorized in the Philippines are required to have the correct labeling as stated in implementing rules and regulation of Republic Act (RA) No. 10620 known as “Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013”. The following labeling information must also be present in the labeling of activity toys:
- That the toy is for domestic use only;
- Whether the toy is intended for indoor or outdoor use;
- Information as to the mass and/or age of the child for whom the toy is intended;
- If appropriate, the maximum number of children that may safely use the equipment simultaneously; and,
- Identity or contact details of the manufacturer or distributor.
Consumers are asked to also check additional safety reminders which are included in the information, education, and communication materials developed by the FDA, entitled, “xxx”, posted on the FDA website. The FDA also reminds consumers to check if these products have been duly authorized by the FDA through checking the FDA Verification Portal at https://verification.fda.gov.ph.
The public is also encouraged to report any safety incidents involving toys. To do so, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call our hotline at (02) 8857-1900 local 8113 or 8110.