No, safety eyes are not safe for children under the age of 3. Despite their name, these plastic eyes pose a choking hazard and can easily be detached by young children who may then put them in their mouths or noses. Several sources confirm this risk.
Dangers of Safety Eyes for Young Children:
- Choking Hazard: Small children can easily detach and swallow safety eyes, posing a significant choking hazard.
- Ingestion Risk: The eyes can be ingested, potentially leading to internal injuries.
- Eye Injury: If a child pulls on an attached safety eye, the sharp edges of the eye or the attaching mechanism could cause scratches or other minor injuries.
Safer Alternatives:
For toys intended for children under 3, safer alternatives include:
- Embroidered Eyes: Simply embroidering the eyes directly onto the toy eliminates the risk of detached parts.
- Fabric Eyes: Using fabric eyes sewn securely onto the toy is another safe option.
Multiple sources, including reddit discussions, craft forums, and craft blogs strongly advise against using safety eyes in toys for young children. Even those marketed as "safety eyes" are not considered safe for children under 3 years of age due to their potential to detach and cause harm.
