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Avoiding Recalled Christmas Toys
Kids love getting gifts at Christmas. They dream about what they will find under the tree or in their stockings. They leave hints about what they would like to see under the gaily-wrapped paper. They whisper about their gift desires in jolly St. Nick's ear and make lists months in advance. As a parent, we want our kids to be happy and when appropriate we give them what they want. Knowing if a toy is safe to give a child is more than knowing if it is age appropriate. It seems that there are more toy recalls each year. Toys are recalled when there is something dangerous about the toy, or toxic in how it is made. The gift giver needs to be aware of toy recalls and what to look out for when purchasing toys so that the gift is received with joy instead of disaster. How do toy recalls work?
Understanding the anatomy of a toy recall:
The usual route of a recall starts with an investigation into incidents of injury or from tests run in quality control labs. Unfortunately usually an incident means that the dangerous toy has already injured a child or perhaps several children.
Currently on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission Website there are a whole page of recalls, most involving Violations of Lead Paint Standards. The most recent recalls on the list include Gymboree Corp's recall of Toy Swords due to breakage and laceration hazard, Dunkin' Donuts Recalls of Glow Sticks due to choking and strangulation hazards, and Lan Enterprises Recall of a doll stroller after a child's finger tip was severed. The same product also is stated to pose an entrapment hazard. These are just from the first 10 recalls from that long list of recalls.
The best scenario would be if the company's quality control department discovered the dangerous situation before toys reached the shelves, so that no innocent children would be injured or made ill due to playing with a toy.
Safety standards are obviously an important part of any product manufacturing process. Obeying these standards should be expected especially when the products are made to be used by children. Monitoring, and enforcing these regulations should be of the highest level of ability of the US government. There should be a hefty price to pay for violating these safety standards.
Lately China has been cited as the manufacturing country in several recent toy recalls for lead paint infractions. Part of the problem is that so many of the US products are manufactured globally and not in the US. It is the responsibility of the US government and the US companies to expect compliance from those countries they deal with and to be able to regulate obedience and enforcement.
Finding Out About Toy Recalls:
Consumers can find out about a toy recall directly from toy companies or from the US government by way of Websites like the Consumer Product Safety Commission site located at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html
When a determination has been made by a company to recall a toy, they usually set up a hotline and information on the company Website that addresses the recall issue including the particulars about what toy is being recalled and what consumers are to do if they have the toy in their possession.
Many news agencies make toy recalls public by making announcements and by giving information about the toy to the public using their media coverage ability.
One good reason to fill out that product questionnaire you received in the box is that if you register the product with the company, the company then has the ability to update you on issues with that product including any recalls.
There is a blog that has a comprehensive list of recalls including the latest toy recalls due to lead paint. The blog can be accessed at:
http://www.usrecallnews.com/2007/10/complete-list-of-recalled-toys-for-lead.html
The best thing any concerned individual can do regarding giving toys at Christmas or anytime of the year is to stay informed and pay attention to any news reports regarding recalls.
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