Toy Alert

 Toy Safety Alert

Recently, popular toymaker Mattel issued recalls on millions of its dolls, action figures, and toy cars. Nearly 100 different toys in over 30countries were affected. The reason? High levels of toxic lead paint and dangerous, high-powered magnets were found in the tainted toys.

The massive toy recalls were just the latest in a series of recalls from foreign manufacturers, namely Chinese manufacturers. If you think this recent spike in toxic products reaching our shores and stores is simply an anomaly, think again. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued dozens of recalls on children's toys over the last two years and is in the process of making significant changes to the agency's quality-control standards to compensate for the dramatic increase in problematic imports--a result of the recent trend towards globalization and more open international trade standards. In this publication, we cut through the media noise to deliver sensible advice for protecting your children from harmful toys.

Buying age-appropriate toys won't do you much good if your older children leave their toys lying around. Educate your children on proper toy safety. Show them how to put their toys away neatly after use. Also, consider the fact that your children can be great helpers in eliminating possible hazards from their younger siblings’ paths. Show your older children examples of materials that may be hazardous to your younger children and reward them when they show initiative in contributing to their siblings' safety.

Undoubtedly, the best way to protect yourself is to read labels carefully. Never purchase a toy that has a recommended age older than your child. Even if a toy appears harmless, there may be small, moving parts that can become lodged in the throat, materials that can be dangerous if sucked on, or sharp edges lurking under less visible parts of the toy. Toy labels are strictly regulated and applied, based on careful evaluation of child development and behavioral tendencies. Additionally, make sure you take stock of any warnings on the packaging. Some toys may be safe when used correctly but are dangerous when used incorrectly; others may have specific electrical hazards.

When buying toys, look for quality. Low-quality toys are more likely to break and less likely to be scrutinized for design flaws and/or potential hazards. High-quality toys are made across the globe, but it bears mentioning that not a single significant recall has been enacted on an American-made toy this year. Buying American is a great way to protect your children while also protecting American jobs.

Children are hard on their toys--especially the ones they love the most. Even the safest toy can become dangerous if it breaks. Broken toys may expose sharp edges and small parts that can become lodged in a child's throat. Take the time to inspect your children's toys regularly. Look for any parts that appear flimsy or heavily worn. Pay special attention to any electrical wiring.

It may not come as much of a comfort these days, but the US Consumer product Safety Commission does quite a bit to keep your children's' toys safe. Here's a look at what the US Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy companies to do in order to do business in the US.

• No shock or thermal hazards in electrical toys

• Amount of lead in toy paint severely limited

• No toxic materials in or on toys

• Art materials used by children under 12 should be non-hazardous

• Latex balloons and toys and games with latex balloons must be labeled, warning of thechoking and suffocation hazards associated with pieces of and/or uninflated balloons

• Unbreakable

• No small parts or pieces that could become lodged in the throat

• Constructed so as not to separate into small pieces

• No balls with diameters 1.75 inches or less

• All toys and games with small parts must be labeled to warn of the choking hazard to young children

• The following toys must be labeled to warn of the choking hazard to young children:

• All toys and games with balls measuring a diameter of 1.75 inches or less

• All marbles, as well as toys and games with marbles

• No electrically operated toys with heating elements

• No sharp points on toys

• No sharp edges on toys

There are several additional safeguards that are not required by the USCPSC but that are generally adhered to voluntarily. They are as follows:

• Listing the age and safety labels on toys

• Listing warning labels on crib gyms, advising that they be removed from the crib when

babies can push up on hands and knees, to prevent stranglings

• Assuring that the lid of a toy chest will stay open in any position to which it is raised and

not fall unexpectedly on a child

• Limiting the string length on crib and playpen toys to reduce the risk of strangulations