Before you wrap a toy, a two-minute check can keep a child safe: is it right for the child's age, has it been recalled, and does it have small parts, magnets or button batteries? This guide follows the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency that oversees toy safety and recalls. General safety information only, not medical advice. Facts checked November 9, 2026.
Why it matters
In 2022, an estimated 209,500 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, and 76 percent were to children 14 or younger. Nonmotorized scooters were linked to the largest number of these injuries among specific toys (CPSC, Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries, Calendar Year 2022).
Check before you buy
- Follow the age label. Toys must have age labels if the toy is a choking hazard for children under 3. The age guidance is about safety, not only about how smart a child is.
- Small parts: keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than 3.
- Balloons: keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8.
- Ride-on toys: buy the safety gear too, including a helmet, for scooters and other riding toys.
- Magnets: the CPSC says high-powered magnets are a safety risk to children, from toddlers to teens. When two or more magnets are swallowed, they attract each other inside the body.
- Button and coin batteries: found in remotes, toys, musical greeting cards, flashing jewelry and more. If swallowed, one can cause burns and devastating injuries in as little as two hours. Toys with these batteries must have a secure battery compartment that needs a screwdriver, coin or tool to open.
- Check for recalls, especially for secondhand toys and gifts bought from online marketplaces.
Sources: CPSC: Toys, CPSC: Magnets, CPSC safety alert on button and coin batteries.
How to check for a recall
- CPSC.gov/Recalls: search recalls and product safety warnings by date, hazard and product category. The CPSC updates the data weekly as new recalls are announced, and you can sign up for recall emails.
- SaferProducts.gov: the public database where anyone can file and read reports about unsafe consumer products.
- If a toy you own is recalled, stop using it and follow the recall's instructions, which usually explain how to get a refund, repair or replacement.
After the gifts are open
- Throw away plastic wrapping and other packaging right away, before small children can play with it.
- Check that battery compartments are closed tightly, and keep spare and used button batteries out of reach. Tape over the ends of used button batteries before you recycle them.
- If a child may have swallowed a magnet or a button battery, get medical help immediately.
- If a toy breaks or hurts someone, report it to the CPSC on SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a toy has been recalled?
Search the product name or maker at CPSC.gov/Recalls. You can also sign up for CPSC recall emails and read public reports on SaferProducts.gov.
What does the age label on a toy mean?
It is safety guidance. Toys that are a choking hazard for children under 3 must say so on the label, so follow it even if a younger child seems ready.
Why are button batteries dangerous?
If a child swallows one, it can cause burns and serious injuries in as little as two hours. Get medical help right away if you think a battery was swallowed.
Are secondhand toys safe?
They can be, but check them for recalls first, make sure no parts are loose or broken, and check that battery compartments still close securely.
Where do I report an unsafe toy?
On SaferProducts.gov, the CPSC's public database, or by calling the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772.