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Marbles Safety

Playing with marbles is a popular kid's game that uses small spherical objects that are often made out of clay, glass and agate. Although this game is more popular in countries such as Canada, Taiwan, Australia and the United Kingdom, marbles is known as a fun game throughout the world. Whether marbles are used in play or as a collector's item, they can pose a safety risk for children, as they range in size from a 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch in diameter.

Choking Hazard
- Because marbles are generally small in size, they can be a choking hazard to children. When your child is playing with marbles, it is important to monitor the play to ensure he does not place a marble inside his mouth.
  
  In 1979, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stated that children under the age of 3 years should not use marbles. Marbles fit the diameter of what the CPSC calls a choke hazard.
Falls and Other Injuries
- Since a game of marbles dictates a player spread marbles over the floor, care should be taken when stepping or walking within the playing area. Make sure that all the marbles are contained in one area so as to minimize slips or falls. When stepping around a marble game, remember to step with care.
Correct Storage of Marbles
- Correctly storing marbles is an important safety precaution. Make sure the marbles are stored in an enclosed container or bag that will not allow them to roll out. Keep in mind that if you are dealing with many marbles, the container can get very heavy. Care should be taken when lifting or carrying the container. Make sure a storage container is light enough for you to carry without effort.
Finishing Game Play
- When finishing game play, it is important to ensure the correct clean up of the area. Since marbles tend to roll around, look within the immediate area and under any furniture to ensure that they are all accounted for. Missing marbles could eventually find their way onto a walkway and therefore cause slips or falls.
Throwing the Marbles
- Under no circumstances should marbles be thrown through the air. This can pose risks to people within the immediate area and cause a variety of injuries. Since marbles are made from glass, clay or agate, they could cause severe injuries to the body if thrown. Marble play should always be supervised and only be used for gaming purposes or rolled on the floor.

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