Marine
11-27-2002, 6:08pm
Products from childhood classics Lego and Play-Doh were among potentially hazardous toys listed by the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan Tuesday in its annual report of toys that could harm children.
In the report Trouble in Toyland, the group, based in Ann Arbor, identified nearly 40 toys that pose choking risks, contain toxins or could cause hearing damage to children.
This is the 17th year the group has issued a report on toy safety in time for holiday shopping.
In 2001, there were 25 deaths and 255,100 injuries caused by toys, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Choking is the leading cause of toy-related deaths, said Megan Owens, field associate for Public Interest Research Group in Michigan.
Lego and Play-Doh each had one product that made the list as potential choking hazards because of small parts, along with small rubber balls and balloons with designs to appeal to babies and toddlers.
"Small children put just about everything in their mouths," Owens said.
Owens advised that parents take along an empty toilet paper roll when shopping for toys. If a toy or parts of a toy fit into the roll, Owens said, they are small enough to be a choking hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests parents look for toys with sturdy construction, including tightly secured eyes, noses and other small parts and to avoid buying toys with sharp edges or electric toys with heating elements for children under 8.
The Public Interest Research Group in Michigan suggests parents also check labels on toys that warn of age restrictions.
Kmart does its own toy testing, using the federal safety commission guidelines, said company spokeswoman Abigail Jacobs.
She said Kmart does not usually respond to private advocacy groups, but said parents could use Trouble in Toyland as additional information.
Kmart takes toys off its shelves only if the manufacturer or the safety commission issues a recall, she said.
In a prepared statement, Toys 'R' Us said all its toys meet the safety commission's guidelines, including the items listed in Trouble in Toyland.
Cautious buying isn't enough to keep children safe, said Dr. Frank McGeorge, who works in the emergency room at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
"There is absolutely no substitute for supervision," McGeorge said.
Owens also said plastic toys made with phthalates, which are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to soften plastic, may be toxic to children and cause long-term liver or kidney damage.
The material was commonly used in teethers and other pliable plastic toys until 1998, when it was linked to long-term health problems.
The group also identified toys with loud sound effects, including the Fisher-Price Blue's Clues Learning Lessons Computer and the Buzz Lightyear Blaster. The toys' noises reached 85 decibels, which when played repeatedly, Owens said, can lead to hearing damage.
For the second year the Public Interest Research Group looked at 45 online toy retailers and said that none consistently posted safety warnings that are required for toys sold in stores.
http://www.freep.com/news/childrenfirst/ntoys27_20021127.htm
In the report Trouble in Toyland, the group, based in Ann Arbor, identified nearly 40 toys that pose choking risks, contain toxins or could cause hearing damage to children.
This is the 17th year the group has issued a report on toy safety in time for holiday shopping.
In 2001, there were 25 deaths and 255,100 injuries caused by toys, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Choking is the leading cause of toy-related deaths, said Megan Owens, field associate for Public Interest Research Group in Michigan.
Lego and Play-Doh each had one product that made the list as potential choking hazards because of small parts, along with small rubber balls and balloons with designs to appeal to babies and toddlers.
"Small children put just about everything in their mouths," Owens said.
Owens advised that parents take along an empty toilet paper roll when shopping for toys. If a toy or parts of a toy fit into the roll, Owens said, they are small enough to be a choking hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests parents look for toys with sturdy construction, including tightly secured eyes, noses and other small parts and to avoid buying toys with sharp edges or electric toys with heating elements for children under 8.
The Public Interest Research Group in Michigan suggests parents also check labels on toys that warn of age restrictions.
Kmart does its own toy testing, using the federal safety commission guidelines, said company spokeswoman Abigail Jacobs.
She said Kmart does not usually respond to private advocacy groups, but said parents could use Trouble in Toyland as additional information.
Kmart takes toys off its shelves only if the manufacturer or the safety commission issues a recall, she said.
In a prepared statement, Toys 'R' Us said all its toys meet the safety commission's guidelines, including the items listed in Trouble in Toyland.
Cautious buying isn't enough to keep children safe, said Dr. Frank McGeorge, who works in the emergency room at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
"There is absolutely no substitute for supervision," McGeorge said.
Owens also said plastic toys made with phthalates, which are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to soften plastic, may be toxic to children and cause long-term liver or kidney damage.
The material was commonly used in teethers and other pliable plastic toys until 1998, when it was linked to long-term health problems.
The group also identified toys with loud sound effects, including the Fisher-Price Blue's Clues Learning Lessons Computer and the Buzz Lightyear Blaster. The toys' noises reached 85 decibels, which when played repeatedly, Owens said, can lead to hearing damage.
For the second year the Public Interest Research Group looked at 45 online toy retailers and said that none consistently posted safety warnings that are required for toys sold in stores.
http://www.freep.com/news/childrenfirst/ntoys27_20021127.htm