ABSTRACT
Manufacturers of young children’s products have their “marching orders.” No product shall, as an integrated whole or as a separated portion thereof, fit entirely into the simple and clever choke test cylinder. Meanwhile, those designing and manufacturing products for older children and adults should be mindful that their products could get into the hands and mouths of little ones. A part is too small for incorporation into a product intended for young children if it fits completely into a specially-designed test cylinder specified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that is often referred to as a “choke test cylinder”. The challenging fact is that children under the age of 3 often play in the same space as older children who have playthings with small parts that are not subject to the CPSC regulation. When designing products that will be used near or by children, one can eliminate small, loose parts or objects that could cause choking.
