1. that rattles be large enough to prevent them from becoming lodged in an infant's throat and
2. that they be sturdily constructed to prevent them from separating into small pieces that can be swallowed or inhaled.

To date, the largest rattle known to have lodged in an infant's mouth/throat had an end about the size of a golf ball. Squeeze toys and teethers have been involved in similar choking incidents. Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers involved in incidents had handles or ends small enough to enter a baby's mouth and lodge in the throat, blocking the airway.

Rattle Safety Tips

• Check all rattles, squeeze toys and teethers for small ends that could extend into the back of the baby's mouth. If you feel that the toy may be too small for safety, throw it away.

• Take rattles, squeeze toys, teethers and other small objects out of the crib or playpen when the baby sleeps.

• Teethers, like pacifiers, should never be fastened around a baby's neck.

• Avoid rattles and squeeze toys with ball-shaped ends.

Adapted from "The Safe Nursery" by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission