Toy safety: what families need to know

With mounting financial pressures, many parents are turning to online marketplaces in search of better prices than those found on the high street. However, some toys sold through these platforms do not meet UK safety standards and can be extremely dangerous, particularly for babies and children under three years of age.

One of the most important things to consider when buying toys online is who you are buying from. Is it the official website of a high street retailer, the online store of a well-known brand or a seller you’ve never heard of? If the seller is unfamiliar, it is worth taking a few extra steps before buying:

■ Check where the seller is based: Toys sold by UK retailers must meet strict safety standards, but products from sellers based overseas may not always comply with these regulations.

■ Look for the CE or UKCA marks: These show the manufacturer claims to have met the relevant health and safety and environmental requirements. Products that don’t include these marks may not be safe for children to play with.

■ Be wary of cheap copies of popular toys: While they look similar, these products may not have been tested to the same standards. Do not be tempted to buy them for your child or as a gift for someone else’s – it’s not worth the risk.

■ Look for the voluntary British Toy and Hobby Association’s (BTHA) Lion Mark: This voluntary mark is used by BTHA members to show their commitment to high standards of toy safety. Choosing toys with a Lion Mark can gives added reassurance that the product has been made with the child’s safety in mind.

A survey was carried out by the BTHA in 2025 (bit.ly/U5-toysafety), where the organisation bought 68 toys from popular online marketplaces and tested these against British safety standards. Terrifyingly, 81% of the toys failed testing to a safety standard and are therefore unsafe.

How toys are used and the age of the child are important factors in preventing accidents. Many accidents occur when babies and very young children play with toys intended for older children.

To ensure toys are safe and suitable for your child, here are some steps to carry out:

■ Check battery compartments to ensure batteries are secure and there are no loose spares in the box.

■ Check for any loose magnets and other small parts that have come away from the toy.

■ Gently tug small parts of the toy to check nothing comes loose.

■ Look for long cords or access to stuffing, which could be a risk to young children.

■ Check and adhere to the age restrictions or safety warnings on the product.

■ Always err on the side of caution. If you are not sure if a toy is safe, do not allow your child to play with it.

The Child Accident Prevent Trust (CAPT) (capt.org.uk) has lots of information around toy safety, magnets and a free downloadable fact sheet. The factsheet explains which toys are most dangerous, why under threes are most at risk and how to buy toys safely.