Shiny objects pose infant danger.

• Position: Children - More likely to mouth shiny items - Brief Article

Babies and toddlers are particularly attracted to glossy, reflective surfaces, according to a study conducted in the University of California-Davis psychology department. The researchers studied youngsters ages six to 17 months at day-care centers, observing how they played with a polished stainless steel plate, a glossy white plastic plate, and teal-colored plastic plates with glossy and dull surfaces.

In the experiments, youngsters preferred to mouth shinier objects, offering implications for the design and manufacturing of toys, eating and drinking utensils, plastic bags, and household products and appliances.

The researchers suggest that fewer incidents of...