Experts offer toy-buying safety tips
Posted
Nov 27 2007, 09:45 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
This post comes from Joseph S. Enoch at partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.
With so much scrutiny of the toy industry, some consumer advocates say toys may actually be safer this holiday season than they have been for years, but they are still warning that dangerous toys are almost certainly on store shelves.
"Given all the attention that has happened over the last few months with recalls, I am assuming and I gather that manufacturers, retailers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and consumer groups are all redoubling focus on the consumer marketplace," said Alan Korn, director of public policy at Safe Kids USA, a nonprofit that aims to protect children from consumer dangers.
"I'm fairly certain that this year is not going to be perfect, but a lot of the lead-related toys and other dangerous toys are going to be washed out of the marketplace," Korn said.
Sally Greenberg, director of the nonprofit National Consumers League, agreed.
"I think ... the testing from retailers in combination with all the toys that have been recalled suggest that toys are likely to be safer," she said.
Jean Halloran, product-safety expert at Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, was not as optimistic.
"At this point I wouldn't say they're safer," Halloran said. "I think what we had is a trend as our toy industry has moved overseas, which has happened in the last 10 years or so. I think there's probably been a growth in unsafe products."
Eighty percent of toys sold in the United State are made in China, Halloran added. "There are obviously risks with those products that we haven't seen with domestic-made toys."
Due diligence
All three agreed that parents need to be cautious.
"There's still reason to ... use due diligence in buying toys," Korn said. "But I'm hoping that all this attention in the perfect storm focused on toy safety translates into a perfect marketplace."
This year has seen an unprecedented number of recalls, most of which involved products imported from China. But the experts said it may not be feasible for parents to avoid toys from that country.
“You don't have many (toys) to choose from if you rule out all the ones from China,” Halloran said.
Korn said, "I have a 7-year-old. Am I personally not going to buy toys from China? My answer is 'no.'"
Greenberg suggested that if parents buy toys from China, they ensure the product has no painted surfaces, or pieces of metal or magnets that could be swallowed.
What to do
The Consumers Union and Safe Kids USA give these toy-buying tips:
- Before shopping for toys, consider the child’s age, interest and skill level.
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When shopping, read labels. Look for well-made toys, and follow age and safety information on the warning labels.
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Keep toys with small parts away from children under age 3. They can choke on small toys and toy parts. Korn said asphyxiation is the most common toy-related death.
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Carefully read instructions for the assembly and use of toys.
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Remove and discard all packaging from a toy before giving it to a baby or small child.
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Although the CPSC insists that home lead tests are not accurate, Consumers Union encourages parents to use them to test suspicious toys. Lead Check and Lead Inspector are its preferred brands.
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Avoid no-name products and be careful of toys purchased at dollar stores, street fairs, vending machines, thrift stores or yard sales.
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Any toy or part of a toy that can fit through a toilet-paper tube should be considered a choking hazard.
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Beware of toys that can be broken into smaller pieces like chalk, crayons or markers with caps. They can pose a choking hazard to toddlers and babies.
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Do not give a bike without a bike helmet. Many states mandate that children wear a helmet while riding a bike.
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Sign up for the CPSC's product-safety alerts and cross-reference any toy purchased with the list of toys already recalled because occasionally those toys are not pulled off store shelves. All recalled toys can be found at ConsumerAffairs.com's recalls page.
Both Greenberg and Korn said they expect toy safety will improve even more next year but that parents always need to be cautious when purchasing toys.
CPSC's advice
Although its charter requires that it respond to requests for information, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission did not return six phone calls and two e-mails to answer specific questions. In a news release the agency offered these shopping tips:
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Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
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For children younger than 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
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For children under age 6, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries or death can occur.
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Projectile toys like air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
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Battery charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
To choose appropriate toys for children:
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Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations, and use that information as a guide.
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Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses and other small parts.
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For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Once the gifts are open:
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Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous playthings.
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Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
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Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.
Other articles of interest at ConsumerAffairs.com:
"Group warns of 10 worst toys of 2007"
"Outsourcing, regulatory sloth blamed for unsafe toys"
"Ebay: Where recalled items live forever"
