Topeka ? U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., on Friday said the Consumer Product Safety Commission hasn’t done a good job inspecting toys, and she called for the resignation of its leader.

“If she is unwilling or unable to keep our kids safe, then we need to replace her with somebody that is,” said Boyda, whose 2nd congressional district includes western Lawrence.

Nancy Nord, acting chairman of the CPSC, has been under fire for lax enforcement amid a record number of recalls of lead-tainted toys, many of them made in China, and other problems. She also has been criticized for accepting free travel from industries the commission regulates.

Democrats also were angered when Nord in October opposed a measure that would have authorized more staff.

Nord, a Bush administration appointee, has resisted calls to resign, defended her record on enforcement and earlier this month said she welcomed more resources for the agency.

In addition to wanting Nord to resign, Boyda said she supports legislation in Congress that would ban lead in toys, establish new product safety and testing standards, and increase penalties against companies that produce dangerous products.

Jan Stegelman, coordinator of Safe Kids Kansas, said even though most toys are safe, “Parents are justified in their concern about toy safety.”

Stegelman offered these tips for buying safe toys:

¢ Sign up for recall e-mails at www.cpsc.gov.

¢ Buy age-appropriate toys. Do not buy toys with small parts for children younger than 3.

¢ Identify choking hazards. Do not let a small child play with anything that can fit through the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper.

¢ Buy proper safety gear for riding toys, such as a scooter, skateboard, skates or a bicycle.

¢ Inspect toys to make sure they are in good repair.

¢ Actively supervise children playing with any toy that has small parts, moving parts, electrical or battery cords, wheels or any other potentially risky components.