CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS a time for magic – unexpected gifts, cosy fires, far-flung gatherings and of course, surprises from Santa. And even if you’ve fallen off Santa’s radar the last decade, you may now be playing Santa for the little ones in your life.

And as important as it is to make their Christmas a little more magic, it’s equally important that you do it right – by ensuring you only buy safe toys for them. This can include anything from avoiding choking hazards to chemicals that may irritate their skin.

So, how much do you know about toy safety? Could you spot a dangerous toy before you buy it, or do you know the quality assurance symbols to look out for? Take our quiz to find out.

1.In legal terms, a toy is "a product used in play" by children of what age?

Unsplash

0-3

0-5

0-12

0-14

2. Which of the following symbols should you always look for before you buy a toy?

Unsplash

Wikipedia

The Kitemark

Wikipedia

The CE mark

Wikipedia

The Approved Quality System logo

Wikipedia

The Woolmark symbol

3. And what does the CE symbol mean?

Unsplash

That it's been made in the EU

That it complies with European safety standards

That it's a toy

That it may pose a choking hazard

4. The information given on the packaging should also contain which of the following?

Unsplash

Name and address of the manufacturer and importer

The CE mark

The age grading and instructions (if applicable)

All of the above

5. What are the dangers of buying second-hand toys?

Unsplash

They may be too old to comply with current safety laws

Electronic toys could be old, worn, or not meet current toy safety standards

They could be fake

All of the above

6. Which of the following are excluded from toy safety regulation?

Unsplash

Sports equipment, aquatic equipment, games consoles

Dolls, teddies, puzzles

Arts and crafts, toy cars and trucks

Footballs, board games, battery-powered toys

7. When looking at a toy, what should you be particularly careful to look out for?

Unsplash

Detachable small parts that kids can choke on

Hinges that kids can get their fingers stuck in

That it's made from non-toxic materials that don't burn easily

All of the above

8. How can you spot a faulty charger for any electronic equipment you buy?

Unsplash

It may feel very light

The USB port might be upside down

There are no contact details for the manufacturer or there are spelling mistakes on the packaging

All of the above

Answer all the questions to see your result!

Unsplash

You scored out of !

You could learn more when it comes to toy safety

You're not too sure when it comes to what might make a toy dangerous or checking for quality assurance on the labels. Why not get up to speed on toy safety by visiting CCPC.ie?

Share your result:

Share Tweet

Unsplash

You scored out of !

You're pretty good when it comes to toy safety

You know the important stuff when it comes to spotting toys that might potentially be dangerous but you might not be great about checking the labels. Why not find out even more on CCPC.ie?

Share your result:

Share Tweet

Unsplash

You scored out of !

You know your stuff when it comes to toy safety

You know exactly what to look for when it comes to buying safe, good quality toys for the little ones in your life, helping to make their Christmas bright. Why not find out even more on CCPC.ie?

Share your result:

Share Tweet

Buying toys this Christmas? It’s extremely important that you only buy those that carry the CE mark, which confirms that a toy is safe to give a child. This will help to protect them from things like choking on small parts or suffering allergic reactions due to chemicals. Find out more here.