What to Do when Your Child's Toy is Dangerous

If you've ever tried to take a toy away from a child, you know that the experience isn't pleasant. Between the tears, the screaming and the flailing arms and legs, it can be difficult to think straight. But when a child's toy is recalled for unsafe parts or any other reason, you have no choice but to take the toy away from your child.

When an infant's toy is recalled, you probably won't experience any resistance at all. Infants are too young to understand that a toy is missing from the pile in their room. Starting around two years of age, however, children grow attached to toys and will usually notice if a favorite can't be found.

When your child's toy is recalled, it is important to remove the toy from their possession as quickly as possible. A recall means that the toy isn't safe for your child to play with---the reasons are specified in the recall---and delaying could put your child at risk. You do not, however, want to snatch the toy from your child's hand and risk a battle that will continue for hours on end.

Many parents choose to sneak into the child's room at night and remove it from the toy box while their child is sleeping. This might be the best way to avoid tears and tantrums, but if you wait too long and allow your child continued exposure to the toy, it might be an unsafe gamble. Furthermore, some parents don't feel comfortable sneaking around on their children like that.

As soon as you hear about the recalled toy, find out the reasons and how dangerous the toy can be. Once you are armed with the correct information, you can avoid a nasty situation. In some cases, children can be reasoned with. If you explain that the toy isn't safe and that you'll replace it with a different toy, your child might go along with the program without throwing too much of a fit.

It can also be healthy to involve your child in the process of sending back the recalled toy. You'll need to package the toy in a safe container and mail it through your local post office to the manufacturer to get your refund or replacement. Tell your child that safety is important, and that if he's a good sport, he can help you tape up the package and drive it to the post office.