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| Yes | 72% | 108 votes | Total: 150 votes | |
| No | 28% | 42 votes |
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Add to FavoritesI remember electric powered cars and how much fun it was to get the oppertunity to play in such a vehicle. The question of safety comes up with many such toys. This is usually because there have been a few accidents and a few people have been hurt using them. However, are electric-powered children's cars safe?
Supervision.
The first issue with anything related to this theme is parental supervision. If there is an adult watching the children then there will be fewer accidents and this fun toy can be just as safe as any other toy. Parents should watch their children while they play, especially if the children are young, or the toy needs more responsibility then most of their toys. Supervision is the best thing for keeping children safe.
Teaching boundaries.
Kids always want to test the power they have, but teaching your kids boundaries will help keep them safe. Teach them where they can and where they can't drive their cars. Tell them what could happen should they go where they aren't supposed to. Make sure they understand that it is a safety issue and not you trying to control their lives. Also make it so there are serious consequences should they break the rules. Then stick to your guns to make sure your children are learning the boundaries.
Comparing .
There is a certain level of risk in all things in life. This is just one of those things that we have to stop and think about. If we say, no, electric-powered children's cars aren't safe, then we must also eliminate bikes, heelys, skateboards, sports, roller blades and skates, and crossing the street. We do the best to keep our children safe, but we can't protect them so much that they no longer have the freedom to explore the world around them.
It is a parents job to watch their kids, first and foremost. They should also be teaching their kids about safety and boundaries. Last we have to remember that our kids need to be kids and we have to let them do that, even though this sometimes requires letting them play things that are less safe then staying indoors coloring or using dublex blocks. The world is our classroom and through it we will learn!
Learn more about this author, Danelle Karth.
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No
The questions to be asked about any childs toy or equipment are; What do they set out to do or achieve, and Are they ethically doing that for the child and/or the parent?
Seeing an electric car on sale (and you have the cash) might bring firstly thoughts on ''what fun!'' and "will it injure my child", and "Is it up to some sort of standard?" - Which, (of course) pursues the statement "is it safe?", but farther on, much deeper thoughts should be taking place.
Broad questions you need to ask yourself are;
"What does this automatic contraption set out to do for my child and my family?"
Then, "Is that what I want, and is it then, safe for my family?"
The following are topics which may arise from thinking over those.
It will give family entertainment - from either sitting and steering, or watching it may not be a super wonderful toy after all.
It may teach things like steering and concentration - Does my child get this skill anywhere else? (from his/her tricycle, bike, push car) And does my child need this skill now?
Travelling small distances - Would I prefer my child to walk or run to cement his/her future lifestyle ideals?
It looks cool - Is that an ideal my child should take to adulthood as something that matters?
So then after reviewing those kinds of questions you might come up with another answer about the toy's safety. It is likely that owning a child's electric car will have minimal effect on the lives of your children, but it is not possible to say there will be no negative effect.
In a world where we are discovering plastics contain hormones which are affecting males, and food additives are being outlawed due to their reaction, cancer and illness causing properties, and obesity is well past being on the rise', SAFE really doesn't mean getting a grazed knee.
Christmas and birthdays too often begin or end with last minute trips to the supermarket (or emptying the remote) for batteries, and weeks later toys are being thrown around because the batteries are flat and they no longer work.
Next time a celebration comes around, put a little more thought into the purchase, past "Is it safe'?" and ''Is it made by a brand with a huge marketing campaign or development claim''. Try going back to basics and looking for toys which stimulate the imagination, require self action and sounds, and teach good values and lifestyle. Then, there are always household items from the kitchen, plastics, spoons etc, children can help fold the washing, and for freedom skates and manual action wheeled toys are great.
Learn more about this author, Tania Mcloughlin.
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