Archive for December, 2007

Are your children’s toys safe?

Monday, December 31st, 2007

It’s a sad fact that many of the most dangerous toys are favourites. Thousands of cheap, unsafe toys are finding their way onto the market place with little being done to stop them. How many unsafe toys are there on the shelves that we just don’t know about? Potentially dangerous toys are a serious issue, but the scale of the problem is not yet big enough to spark an exodus of U. Despite industry standards and ongoing improvements, dangerous toys are still widely available and sold. Dangerous toys can be classed as toys with parts that young children can choke on, stick up their nose, or otherwise hurt themselves with: sharp corners, fast-moving, massive projectiles, etc. Children’s toys can become dangerous if they are misused or if they fall into the hands of children who are not old enough to play with them. Just looking around car boot and garage sales will show you where most of the older and dangerous toys are bought and sold. People think they are getting a bargain but what is the real cost?

Millions of dangerous toys which are for sale on shelves are being recalled every day because of various reasons. There are several different factors that can make a toy dangerous. Toys with magnets are high on the list due to the lead content, and the fact that young children can swallow, or push the small detachable parts in the toys where they shouldn’t go. Many toys that are recalled have high levels of lead in the surface paint; lead being dangerous because it is poisonous. Any kinds of magnets in your toys should put the toy high on the dangerous toy list. The majority of dangerous toys have little parts which can be removed and swallowed by a young child. Toy parts that can easily become lodged in a child’s throat have led to many incidents of death and brain damage yet can still be found in newly designed toys. You should check all toys for loose or small parts which you feel may be dangerous to your kids. It is also dangerous for your kids to play with toys which are meant for older children. From time to time, inspect your kids’ toys for any wear and tear which can make them dangerous.

Antique Toys

Thursday, December 6th, 2007

Antique toys should not be considered collectibles,  but should instead be recognized as fine crafted objects  created by skilled designers and artisans of the nineteenth  century.  Antique toys are generally considered to be those made  around WWII or earlier, at least fifty years ago.  Antique toys are popular collector items these days and  many collectors are attracted to curious items. Antique  toys are purchased from everyone all over the world for the  stories they tell, and the eras. Almost any toy that is over  10 years old and still in reasonable condition will qualify as  an ‘antique toy’ Factors that you have to look at when you prefer collecting  antique toys is the condition and years of existence of the  toy you will purchase. Collecting antique toys is rewarding,  enriching and also great fun. Many collectors are also  realize that antique toys make a good investment in  addition to the pure pleasure part of the hobby.  Wood and tin are more durable than glass or some of the  plastics, and antique toys made from wood and metals are  usually in better condition than those made from tin, glass  and other breakable materials.  You can find antique toys at specialized online toy  collecting Web sites, garage sales, flea markets practically  anywhere you may care to look. You can buy antique toys  from auction houses, antique toy dealers and other toy  collecting community resources on the Web.  Caring for antique toys is important and cleaning them  should be minimized. Their workmanship and styling make  antique toys suitable accents to any collectors home,  whether placed on a sleek, ultramodern shelving unit or on  a Philadelphia Chippendale dressing table.  The market for antique toys is currently very strong, with  private sale and auction results continuing to increase.  Among the most popular antique toys are mechanical  banks, in part because of their animated movements;  cast-iron automotives and horse-drawn toys are also  favored. True antique toys are rare treasures and, usually,  worth a pretty penny depending on quality and condition.  Collectible toys are all antique toys, of course, along with  those made within the last fifty years that have withstood  the test of time and piqued the imagination and interest of  toy lovers and collectors.  Antique Toys are agreat investment. While modern toys  offer opportunities for great appreciation, antique toys are  an established market. Still there are people who collect  antique toys like those old tops, wind-up toys, figurines  and train sets. Whether it is the thrill of the hunt, the  research of the item, its artistic splendour, precision  design, historical significance, or the camaraderie of the  toy-collecting world, antique toys are a truly rewarding and  fulfilling pursuit.  The most accessible sources for antique toys are dealers.  Perhaps the best source of all for good antique toys is  other collectors. For a few dollars, you can purchase an  antique toys pricing guide and have a firm understanding of  how to find a bargain. One of the most sought after antique  toys are the wooden rockinghorses. Buying and selling  antique toys can be a great way to make somemoney. If  you would like to check the value of any antique toys that  you may have, you can go online and find many outlets  that can help you. Almost any toy that is over 10 years old and still in  reasonable condition will qualify as an ‘antique toy’