Hospital for Children

How to Help

Toy Safety Guidelines

Toys given to us to be used for gifts must be new.

Infant toys should meet Consumer Product Safety codes. The package will tell you if they meet the codes.

Latex (or rubber) balloons are not allowed in the hospital because of latex allergy precautions and other safety factors. Mylar balloons are permitted.

Only new stuffed toys can be accepted. We cannot accept new ones that smell of smoke.

Fire regulations forbid spark-producing or friction-producing toys.

Toys should be sturdy. Avoid toys which can break and leave sharp edges. No toys should be made of glass or brittle plastic (some foreign-made infant toys and rattles).

Painted toys should be non-toxic. Any glue or paint in craft kits MUST be non-toxic.

Toys with numerous small parts, which require close supervision, are not appropriate for younger children.

"Humorous" medical toys and games can cause fears and misconceptions and are therefore inappropriate.

Although the "dollar stores" have real bargains, sometimes the quality is absent. We would rather have one good rattle that meets safety standards than five inexpensive ones.

For more information about how you can help, contact the UMHC Child Life Program at 410-328-1241.

This page was last updated on: March 13, 2008.

For more information about UMHC or to make an appointment, please call
1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).

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© 2008 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved. UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. 1.800.492.5538 TDD: 1.800.735.2258
Physician Referral: 1.800.373.4111