Sonia Mitchell, Gleaner Writer

Despite the economic slowdown locally, Jamaica's streets will soon be teeming with bargain hunters searching high and low for toys to make kids go ga-ga.

But health concerns must take priority as thousands of toys have been subject to worldwide recalls, particularly manufactures from China.

Dorothy Campbell, education, information and communications specialist at the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), urged shoppers to be on the lookout for hazardous toys.

"We are encouraging everyone to be honest with themselves about their true financial capabilities, be more knowledgeable, and more vigilant about the products they buy during the Christmas season," she said.

Yvonne Hewitt, administration officer at Caribbean Education Company Ltd, told The Gleaner that it is better for parents to buy toys that can benefit their children educationally, and ones that are labelled non-toxic.

note age group on toys

Hewitt advised parents to take careful note of the recommended age group marked on toys.

For example, games such as Monopoly, Candy Land, Snakes and Ladders are acceptable for children three years old and up. For older children, she recommends laptop computer games, Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books and educational DVDs.

The cost may vary depending on brands.

"Each consumer is responsible for the information he or she gives to the family about the real economic situation. Do not hide information from your children who are old enough to understand," Campbell said.

With this in mind, the CAC has prepared a series of tips for holiday shoppers.

BUYING TOYS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN:

Check for age-appropriate toys. Know your child. He or she may be more advanced, or less so than the recommended age on the package.

Choose a toy with non-toxic paint which will not peel off.

3. Examine the pieces that constitute the toy. Check the fastenings, screws and flexible parts.

For toddlers, ensure that joints do not break off easily if bitten, chewed or dropped on a hard surface.

Ensure that pieces of the toys are not small enough to be bitten off and swallowed accidentally.

Check mobile toys to ensure that no electrical component is exposed, such as wires in remote-controlled cars. Also, ensure that battery-operated toys have a fastened lid for batteries.

Test if volume on playback toys can be adjusted, so it isn't deafening.

Check buttons on interactive toys to ensure that they do not fall out easily.

If in doubt, leave the toy in the store. There are thousands more from which to choose.

The toy you may fall in love with may be the one the child leaves in the toy box all year.

Take the child along and watch his reaction to help you determine which ones will pique his interest.

If all fails, a good book lasts forever. A good story read at bedtime to your child is a lasting memory and one that many adults still cherish.

Check contents of books to ensure that they do not have expletives or derogatory information that can have a negative impact on the child.

Email comments and questions on selecting toys to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.