Toy safety a serious concern
Karen McMackin spent part of Wednesday shopping for Christmas gifts for her 4-year-old daughter, Jill.
McMackin, of McLouth, and her daughter Pammie Conchola, 15, took their time eyeing toys at The Toy Store, 841 Mass., that would be safe for McMackin’s youngest daughter.
“I want something that will last,” McMackin said. Jill has a habit of going through toys quickly. “I also don’t want something that will break easily.”
Toy safety, especially during the holiday shopping season, is a key issue for many area groups — including Kansas Safe Kids, a part of a National Safe Kids campaign dedicated to preventing injuries to children.
“Parents need to be aware of the age and safety recommendations on every single toy,” said Jan Stegelman, coordinator of Kansas Safe Kids. “It’s very important to take into account not only children’s cognitive skills, but their capacity to handle the toy safely.”
Eleven toy-related deaths involving children under 15 happened nationwide in 2003, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most of the cases involved a child choking on a toy such as a small ball, balloon, a game piece or a toy bead.
And an estimated 155,400 U.S. children were treated for toy-related injuries in 2003. That’s down by about 23 percent since 2001.
A federal toy labeling law, the Child Safety Protection Act, requires labels on toys that pose a choking hazard for young children. Many toys also include age recommendations, Stegelman said. People need to keep in mind that if a label states a toy isn’t appropriate for a child under the age of 3, the toy could pose a choking hazard.
But finding age-appropriate toys isn’t the only thing buyers need to keep in mind.
Corrinne Yoder-Mulkey, 6, pushes a toy train at The Toy Store, 841 Mass. Lana Best, manager of The Toy Store, said workers at the store pull any recalled products from the shelves.
This year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported recalls of six toys, three types of children’s apparel, one baby stroller and any metal toy jewelry sold in vending machines.
“If there is a recall on a product, the stores are alerted, but the potential problem is that someone may have already purchased the product,” said Cherie Sage with Kansas Safe Kids.
Lana Best, manager of The Toy Store, said workers at the store pulled any recalled products from the shelves.
Best and Richard Chappelle, manager of the Lawrence Wal-Mart store, said they hadn’t had any toys recalled this year. Best said she couldn’t remember the last time she had to pull a toy off the shelf.
Chappelle said his staff members immediately took recalled products off the shelf and posted signs to inform customers about recalls.
“A lot of times the only way people are going to have to find out about a recall is if they’re inside an establishment and see a sign about the recall or they see something about the recall on television,” Chappelle said.
McMackin said she kept up with recalls through a parenting magazine, which lists recalls of products that may affect children. To date, she hasn’t dealt with any recalled products.
Sage suggested people immediately return product registration cards to manufacturers. She also suggested checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Web site, www.cpsc.gov, which continually provides updates on recalled products.
Recalls, however, don’t mean that toys in general aren’t safe, said Chappelle.
“When you think about the thousands of toys made and then the millions of toys that are sold and then the number recalled, toys are extremely safe in America today,” Chappelle said.
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How to survive the holidays (11-26-04)| The following child-related products have been recalled in the past year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.¢ Bumble Bee toys, distributed by Graco Children’s Products.¢ Nerf Big Play Football, distributed by Hasbro.¢ Carter’s children’s mirror books, distributed by Kids II Inc.¢ Radio-control toy trucks, distributed by Nikko America Inc.¢ Ride-on toys, distributed by Tek Nek Toys International.¢ Batman Batmobile toy, distributed by Mattel Inc.¢ Children’s athletic shoes, distributed by Payless ShoeSource Inc.¢ Toddler’s athletic shoes, distributed by Reebok International.¢ Children’s corduroy overalls, distributed by Hanna Andersson.¢ “Rock ‘N Roller” baby strollers, distributed by Dorel Juvenile Group USA.¢ Metal toy jewelry, sold in vending machines by four toy companies. Importers: AA Global Industries Inc., Brand Imports, Cardinal Distributing Co. and L.M. Becker & Co. Inc. |
| When purchasing toys for children in specific age groups, officials with Kansas Safe Kids recommend the following:¢ Infants to age 1 — Suitable toys include activity quilts, stuffed animals without button noses or eyes, bath toys, soft dolls, baby swings, cloth books and squeaky toys.¢ Children ages 1 to 3 — The best toys include books, blocks, balls, push-and-pull toys, shape toys.¢ Children ages 3 to 5 — The most suitable toys include approved nontoxic art supplies, books, videos, musical instruments and outdoor toys, such as a baseball tee, slide or swing.¢ Children ages 5 to 9 — Recommended toys include craft materials, jump ropes, puppets, books and sports equipment. Children ages 8 and up also can begin to use electrical and battery-operated toys, such as electric trains.¢ Children ages 9 to 14 — Appropriate gifts include computers, microscopes, table and board games and outdoor sports equipment. |
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