Toy box safety for babies and toddlers

Nantucket Storage Bench from KidKraft Toy boxes really do rock. They make picking up toys a breeze because all you do is toss those toys in, close the lid, and go. It's like mama basketball! However, toy boxes can also pose a serious safety hazard to small children. A lid can slam down on a child's head, fingers can be caught in a lid, and kids can get trapped inside. Make your toy box safe:

1. Skip the lid: store toys in open boxes with no lids.
2. Add some spring: If you have a lid, it needs to be spring loaded so that if it falls closed, it slowly closes. You can add a spring load mechanical arm to any toy box (available at any local hardware store).
3. Vent it: Any toy box with a lid needs to have holes for ventilation cut in it. In case your child does end up stuck in a toy box, holes in the box allow air to get into the space.

KidKraft makes a number of totally safe toy boxes at reasonable prices. I personally like their Nantucket Storage Bench shown above, because you get the ease of a hidden storage space, like a toy box, but without the toy box worries. They also have traditional toy box options.