Why Safety Eyes Are Not Actually Safe

We all love how safety eyes can bring amigurumi to life. I get giddy just thinking about those beautiful glittery eyes from Etsy makers! 

But what many crafters might not realise is that those seemingly harmless pieces of plastic can pose a serious choking hazard to young children under 3 years old.

• Choking Hazard: Young kids tend to chew on everything – including your crocheted amigurumi. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) https://www.cpsc.gov/ emphasises the dangers of small parts for children under 3.  In Australia and NZ, see AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2023. 
• Potential to Break: While plastic safety eyes are designed to be secure, they’re not indestructible. Rough play or teething can cause them to crack or break, creating even smaller pieces. Burning the backs can cause the plastic to become brittle and breakable. Altering a product also voids any potential warranty. And most of us have experienced poorly made backs that split or fall off when you’re trying to secure them!
• Loose Stitches: Over time, crochet stitches loosen up. Even if you think the back can’t come loose, the entire eye and washer can be worked free from the face (especially if a child has been chewing on the area).

• Embroider eyes directly onto your amigurumi: This method eliminates the choking hazard altogether. Lots of crafters offer tutorials on various embroidered eye designs on their websites and YouTube channels. Use cotton yarn if you’re worried about a child putting the toy in their mouths. 
• Use felt or fabric: Cut out eye shapes from felt or fabric and securely sew them onto your amigurumi. This eliminates the plastic risk, but you must ensure the felt is secured and won’t also become a choking hazard. 
• Crocheted eyes: There are lots of crochet patterns for different eyes available from talented designers. I created the eye pattern for my Pound Puppy (made from a vintage Millcraft pattern) in crochet tapestry on Stitch Fiddle. 

Remember, crochet friends – no matter what someone on social media says about melting or glueing backs, ‘safety eyes’ is a misnomer. They are NOT safe, nor are they intended to be used on toys for children under 3 years of age. Stick to embroidery, crochet, or very well-sewn felt. 

And if you’re selling amigurumi, make sure you are aware of any regulations and testing required in your country. For our fellow Australian residents, check out the article on Insurance & Safety.