A toy box can be dangerous for two reasons: A child could become trapped inside, or a hinged lid could fall on your child’s head or body while he’s searching for a toy. If possible, store toys on open shelves so that your child can get them easily. If you must use a toy box:
- Look for one with no top, or choose one that has a lightweight removable lid or sliding doors or panels. Little fingers can easily become caught and injured under lids and between sliding doors and panels.
- If you use a toy box with a hinged lid, be sure it has lid support that holds the lid open at any angle to which the lid is opened. If your toy box didn’t come with such a support, install one yourself—or remove the lid.
- Look for a toy box with rounded or padded edges and corners, or add the padding yourself, so your child won’t be injured if he falls against it.
- Children occasionally get trapped inside toy boxes, so be sure your box has ventilation holes or a gap between the lid and the box. Don’t block the holes by pushing the box tight against a wall. Be sure the lid doesn’t latch.