Green tips: Switch from plastic to natural toys

Problem: Plastic children's toys can be toxic. The outgassing of plastics is a contributor to indoor air pollution.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is assessing the risk of many plastic toys to children, but in the meantime, companies continue to make plastic toys. A few have been banned.

Safe solution: Look for wooden toys or stuffed toys made from natural fibers at your local toy store, in catalogs and online.

Some other reasons for buying natural toys include:

• Babies like to suck on toys so wood and natural fibers are best.

• Plastic toys tend to break faster than wood toys.

• The feel and sound of wood, cotton and wool is much more pleasant than plastic, acrylic and vinyl.

• Simple basic toys tend to spark more creativity and fantasy play as opposed to noisy, plastic toys with gimmicks and gadgets.

Source: From the book "Home Safe Home" by Debra Lynn Dadd (Penguin Books Ltd.)

Compiled by digs editor Colleen McBrinn. Green Tips is a weekly feature on environmentally friendly ways of living.