Toys
Toys--if they look the same as the real thing they’re okay right? Wrong. Many counterfeit toys are made using non-regulation materials. And by “non-regulation,” we don’t mean cheaper plastic. We mean lead paint. They aren’t tested to comply with safety standards, which can result in more than a broken toy, but in a dangerous one. In the past, counterfeit toys have burst into flames, and defective ones have posed serious chocking hazards to children.
US Customs and Border Protection has said that at least 15 children die each year in the US from toy-related deaths, and at least 200,000 for toy-related injuries. It's important to purchase approrpriate toys for a child's age group, and counterfeit toys pose a serious hazard because of the lack of safety testing done on them.
The CBP offers these tips:
* Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys tooadvanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.
* For infants, toddlers and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts, which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
* Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
* For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
* Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under 8.
* Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
* Check toy instructions for clarity – for both you and, when appropriate, the child.
* Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.
"Consumers also should check that their gift lists do not include any of the recalled toys or children’s products onCPSC’s checklist. Check for product recalls on CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.At the Web site, consumers cankeep up-to-date on dangerous products by signing up to have recall announcements sent directly to their email account. Choose to receive all recall announcements or just children’s product recalls only. Consumers also can call CPSC’s toll-free hotline at (800) 638-CPSC. For information about all types of recalls, visit www.recalls.gov.
For information on counterfeit products and intellectual property rights violations visit the CBP website at www.cbp.gov."
Useful Links
- CBP Warns Consumers About Unsafe Toys
- Check here for Product Recalls
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Toy Recalls
- Health Canada: Report an Incident, Recalls
- Recent News Stories on Toys:
Photo Credit: Flickr CC. "On" Button in Header. Toys.