Toy Shopping Tips for a Safer Holiday

Some toys sitting wrapped under your Christmas tree may be unsafe for your child. Ever since a 4-year-old boy died of lead poisoning in 2006 after swallowing a small heart-shaped locket, children's toys remain near the head of the list of consumer safety concerns.

According to Forbes magazine, one of every three toys tested in a study of 1,500 popular children's toys contained potentially harmful levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and other toxic chemicals.

Based on the exposure a child has had to a dangerous chemical, all of the chemicals studied have been linked with serious health issues.  Arsenic is linked with cancer, blood disorders and damage to fetal development.  Cadmium can cause serious harm to the kidneys and lungs.  Bromine, a chemical used mostly in flame retardants has been linked to birth defects and reproductive problems.

Toxins are five times as likely to be found in jewelry than in any other category of children's products.  The Ecology Center, a consumer safety organization, reports that fifteen percent of the jewelry tested had lead levels above 600 parts per million.  One toy containing high amounts of lead is Disney's Hannah Montana two-heart necklace.

In 2007 the toy manufacturer Mattel Inc., had to recall more than 18 million toys made in China because they contained small magnets, which can harm a child’s digestive tract if swallowed, and lead paint.  High levels of lead paint contributed to the recall of 45 million toys and children's items during that year as well.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission roughly 80% of toys imported into the U.S. are from China.

Impending US laws will be setting limits on the amount of lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and other unsafe chemicals allowed in children's toys. Some laws take affect in 2009.  On a positive note Forbes Magazine reports that roughly 21 percent of all the toys tested in a consumer product safety study did not contain unsafe chemicals.

Still, according to Finding Non-Toxic Toys, government regulations are outdated and weak when it comes to the growing world of chemicals and their use in consumer products. You'll need to take matters in your own hands for the safety of your children. Check out two  helpful resources for finding out what harmful chemicals a toy may contain:  HealthyToys.org and MomsRising.org. 

Whether you're out doing last minute Christmas shopping or purchasing a toy for a nephew's birthday party, here are some toy shopping tips from Consumer Reports:

•Do not buy metal jewelry.  Stay away from the cheap metal jewelry marketed for children.  About 20 percent of children's metal jewelry has high levels of lead hiding beneath the surface.  

•Be careful of toys with magnets.   Many small toys include small magnets that can fall out and if swallowed can lead to serious health problems.  

•Try to stick with American made toys. Even though US government regulations are not perfect, there is some protection provided to the American consumer.

•Avoid no-name products and be cautious with toys bought at dollar stores despite the great deals you're getting.  The same is true for toys bought at street fairs and vending machines. 

•When buying arts and crafts materials, stay away from permanent paints and markers.   Use water-based glues and paints.

•Follow the age appropriate grading on the packaging. The age grade not only relates to play value but also to safety.

•Before you shop for toys, check recent toy recalls at www.recalls.gov and at www.notinmycart.gov.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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