|
How to Shop for Safe Toys This Holiday Season |
Written by Daniel Jowssey
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
|
With numerous recalls of beloved toys like Thomas trains and Polly Pockets, and increasing awareness of lax safety standards in production facilities overseas, parents everywhere are concerned about how to shop for safe gifts this season. Here are five ideas to make safer holiday toy choices. 1. Shop at small local toy stores where you know the owners and personally know they have a dedication to quality safe toys. Often, small shopkeepers will do the extra work for you to make sure the toys they sell meet the highest safety standards. 2. Shop on-line retailers like PlanetHappyToys.com , where their mission is to find safe toys for kids. 3. Shop at large national retailers which provide special resources for safer shopping. ToysRUs, for example, now makes available a country-of-origin list for all toys in its 842 U.S. stores. You have to ask for the list - they don't advertise that it's available. Another good option is The Right Start chain of stores. They only sell products tested according to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) guidelines. 4. Shop major brands that now have made extra strides in safety assurance. While RC2 (Thomas) and Mattel (PollyPocket) have had recent problems, it also means that they are doing everything they can for quality control so that they have no other consumer issues or recalls. 5. Check out product approval seals like Good Housekeeping. While these seals programs don't necessarily cover all product safety areas, and never can carry all products in the marketplace, you can count on another level of scrutiny on the toy you are considering bringing home to your child. Shoppers Must Assume Responsibility for Safe Toy Gifts Our greatest national resource is our children. The best toys prod young imaginations and minds to grow and learn. Childrens' minds must be stimulated and nurtured; not poisoned. Providers of babies and kids gifts must share this belief. Their products must be safe and dependable. Their toys must be entertaining and educational. They must safely hold your childs interest while preparing them for the future. Unfortunatly the goverment, many toy makers and many toy sellers have not accepted their responsibility for safe toys, even as these toys harm our children. Christmas is near. This year let's put aside all the tripe and hype that permeates the toy industry. Buy safe responsible gifts for your children. Now the gift giver must assume responsibility for safe child gifts. Here is information that will help you. Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant. Stuffed toys should be washable. Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint. Art materials should say nontoxic. Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The Right Toys at the Right Ages Steer clear of older toys, even hand-me-downs from friends and family. Those toys might have sentimental value and are certainly cost-effective, but they may not meet current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they can break and become hazardous. And make sure a toy isn't too loud for your child. The noise of some rattles, squeak toys, and musical or electronic toys can be as loud as a car horn - even louder if a child holds it directly to the ears - and can contribute to hearing loss. Always read labels to make sure a toy is appropriate for a child's age. Guidelines published by the Consumer Protection Service Commission and other groups can help you make those buying decisions. Still, use your own best judgment - and consider your child's temperament, habits, and behavior whenever you buy a new toy. You may think that a child who's advanced in comparison to peers can handle toys meant for older kids. But the age levels for toys are determined by safety factors, not intelligence or maturity. Here are some age-specific guidelines to keep in mind: For Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers Look for toys that are sturdy enough to withstand pulling and twisting. Make sure that eyes, noses, buttons, and other parts that could break off are securely attached. Make sure squeeze toys, rattles, and teethers are large enough that they won't become lodged in a child's mouth or throat, even if squeezed into a smaller compressed shape. Avoid toys with cords or long strings, which could present strangulation hazards to young kids. Avoid thin plastic toys that might break into small pieces and leave jagged edges that could cut. Avoid marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls that are 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) in diameter or less because they present choking hazards. For Grade-Schoolers Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and inline skates should never be used without helmets that meet current safety standards and other recommended safety gear, like hand, wrist and shin guards. Look for CPSC or Snell certification on the labels. Nets should be well constructed and firmly attached to the rim so that they don't become strangulation hazards. Toy darts or arrows should have soft tips or suction cups at the end, not hard points. Toy guns should be brightly colored so they cannot be mistaken for real weapons, and kids should be taught to never point darts, arrows, or guns at anyone. BB guns or pellet rifles should not be given to kids under the age of 16. Electric toys should be labeled UL, meaning they meet safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission lists toys that have been recalled at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html. I'm sure there are still toys out there that should be recalled but haven't been. There are also many, many great toy gifts available. Just be observant and follow the guide lines above. Look for toys made in the USA and at small toy manufacterers specializing in natural and educational toys. With just a little extra effort, I'm sure you'll find the perfect toy for that child you love so much. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
| Comments On This Article: |
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
You are welcome to publish this article free of charge on your website, newsletter, or e-zine, provided:
- You don't change the article in any way
- You include the entire article, including the "about the author" box
- All hyperlinks must remain intact, including email addresses, and the link to ArticleBlast.com at the bottom
- In doing so you agree to indemnify the article's author, and ArticleBlast.com and its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities which arise out of its use
- It is also recommended that you provide a courtesy copy of your publication to the author of the article
