Toy Safety News

Hazardous toys can still be found on store shelves across the country despite passage of the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act, according to a nationwide survey released today by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG).

The annual PIRG report, available on the web at www.toysafety.net, has resulted in more than 100 recalls and other enforcement actions in the last 17 years. Along with the 2002 report, CoPIRG released a new "Tips for Toy Safety" brochure to help parents and caregivers avoid the most common toy hazards.

In 2001 alone, an estimated 248,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. Four out of five were younger than 15 years old. "Children needlessly choke to death on toys, and toys that pose hazards to children can still be found on store shelves," said CoPIRG's Rex Wilmouth.

The annual CoPIRG "Trouble in Toyland" report highlights potential hazards posed by toys found during a survey of stores in October and November. CoPIRG cautioned consumers about toy hazards in five categories: choking hazards including balloons, toxic chemicals, hearing loss hazards, scooter dangers, and purchasing toys on the Internet.

CoPIRG announced plans to distribute a new brochure, "Tips for Toy Safety," highlighting ways parents and toygivers can reduce toy-related hazards through the Internet and in mailings to childcare centers. The brochure is available from CoPIRG (send a SASE labeled TOY TIPS) or downloadable from www.toysafety.net. "Remember that our toy list only provides a few examples of dangerous toys," Rex Wilmouth said, "The most important list for consumers is the Tips for Toy Safety."

Some highlights of the report’s findings:

Choking Hazards: Choking on small toy parts, balloons and small balls continues to be the leading cause of toy-related deaths. According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least 207 children died from 1990 to 2000 playing with toys. In 2000, 17 children died playing with toys, six of those from choking. The 1994 Child Safety Protection Act required strict warning labels on toys intended for older children, if the toy contains small parts, marbles, or balls banned for children under three. Balloon warnings specify that balloons should be kept away from children under eight. CoPIRG announced plans to petition the CPSC to strengthen its rules so that rounded toys that are not balls are tested with the more stringent small ball test, rather than the small parts test. "Rounded objects, such as common toy foods, are more like small balls in their choking threats and should be subject to a stricter standard," Wilmouth said.

Toxic Chemical Hazards: Phthalates are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic toys as a softener. The chemicals are linked to liver and kidney damage, are probable human carcinogens, and have already been banned by several European countries in toys for children under three. The CPSC is expected to vote soon to reject a petition by CoPIRG and other groups calling for a ban on phthalates in products intended for children under five. The CPSC heard staff recommendations on November 9, but postponed a vote.

Hearing Loss Dangers: According to a 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, almost 15 percent of kids ages six to 17 show signs of hearing loss. No federal regulations regulate the noise level of toys, but toys with sounds of 85 decibels or over can significantly affect a child’s hearing. Toy givers must be aware of the dangers posed by loud toys.

On-line Toy Sales: In an analysis of 45 online toy retailers, CoPIRG found that no online retailers post the warnings required to appear on in-store products and only two of the 45 included any safety labeling at all, and even these were not posted consistently. CoPIRG urged manufacturers to voluntarily provide Child Safety Protection Act warnings on the web and urged Congress to pass H.R. 604, the Internet Toy Safety Awareness Act, introduced by Rep. Thurman (FL), which would make Internet toy labeling mandatory.

"Shoppers should examine all toys carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase and should think about how a child would play with the toy, " WIlmouth added. "While most manufacturers comply with the law, parents should not assume that all toys on store shelves are safe or adequately labeled, " continued Wilmouth. "Consumers should get PIRG’s Tips For Toy Safety on our web site, www.toysafety.net, before shopping for toys this holiday season."

Colorado PIRG is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest advocacy group, with 25,000 members in Colorado.

The full report is available for $30 from The State PIRGs, 218 D St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 or on the state PIRG toy safety web site, www.toysafety.net. Send e-mail to uspirg@pirg.org for more information about PIRG consumer watchdog programs.