Stuffed Animals Key Terms

Find out what you need to know about stuffed animals for your business
By Kathryn Keep Stuffed animals have an appeal that is timeless and ageless. From the common teddy bear to endangered species, the variety of stuffed animals to choose from is limitless. You can even have a custom plush toy made from your own design.

When considering the safety of a stuffed animal, it's important to consider flammability and age-appropriateness. Know what to do if there is ever a recall of the product. Be aware of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards before selling or manufacturing any stuffed animal.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards

All toys, including the simplest stuffed animals, must adhere to predefined safety standards. In addition to federally mandated requirements, some states may have their own requirements for those selling or manufacturing toys such as stuffed animals.
Try:  View the most current standards at the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Age-appropriateness

While you can generally sell stuffed animals for all ages, there are a few exceptions. Manufacturers need to secure all parts of the stuffed animal in order for it to be safe for small children. Toys with clothes or other separate parts can pose a choking hazard for children less than three years of age. Even hair on a stuffed animal could pose a problem.
Try:  Learn more about age-appropriate toys by visiting The Dr. Spock Company.

Custom plush toys

Do you have a great idea for a stuffed animal? Would you like to bring your company mascot to life? Custom plush toys are a great way to have unique stuffed toys for sale or for promotional purposes.
Try:  At Binkley, you can learn the steps to creating your own custom plush toy.

Teddy bear

First introduced in 1902, The ever-popular teddy bear celebrated President Theodore Roosevelt after he refused to shoot a bear cub. Thanks, in part, to the teddy bear, stuffed animals representing many endangered species are raising awareness all over the world.
Try:  Discover the rich history of the teddy bear by visiting Teddy Bears and Friends.

Flammability

Stuffed animals must meet standards for flammability by undergoing testing. Stuffing materials, as well as fabric, can be highly flammable, so it's very important to choose materials carefully.
Try:  Fuzzy Galore has an in-depth article about flammability of textiles.

Recall

For your business, it's important to have a plan in place in case the manufacturer recalls the stuffed animals for safety issues. Common reasons for a stuffed animal recall include loose seams that easily rip or small parts coming off easily.
Try:  Check out recent recalls of stuffed animals and other children's products by going to ConsumerAffairs.com.