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Braille TeddiesI'm trying to start selling my bears and I'm wondering how to make your bears child safe. Is it just based on the eyes? Also, why is 14 the age where most of the bear artists have the cut off on their label? I know I could have handled the artist bears I have now even as a kid. Could some bears be designed for older children, but not under three or something? I just don't want to get in trouble and I would never live with myself if a little kid got hurt. My interest is to make both types of bears so that everyone can enjoy them.
My Baby-Safe line has no joints and embroidered eyes/noses. My tags say to remove the ribbon for children under age 3. I also have been making the baby-safe critters from Fleece, but do also use the fur.
Ellen
Every country has laws about what constitutes a child-safe toy, and my understanding is that my bears (for example) don't meet the criteria for a number of reasons (glass eyes that could break; small parts used in jointing; non-flame-retardant fabrics and stuffings, and probably other things I'm forgetting).
Personally, I think it's always good to just clearly state that your bears are hand-made, even if they have safety eyes and joints. (After all, we're not having them tested by an independent laboratory or anything.) Parents can then decide whether your bear and their child are a good match.
The idea is to protect small children from something that many people might assume is totally harmless and to protect yourself from a lawsuit.
Becky
