Toy Safety News

Hazards posed by 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 Group. The annual CoPIRG report, available on the web at www.toysafety.net, has resulted in over 100 recalls and other enforcement actions in the last 15 years.

While the group's 16th annual survey noted some signs of improvement in 2000 alone, an estimated 191,000 went to the emergency room for toy-related injuries. Seventy-nine percent (150,800) 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 Emily Hoopes, CoPIRG Consumer Advocate. "Consumers should remember that just because a toy is in the store, or doesn't appear in CoPIRG's report that doesn't mean it is safe," she added.

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 also identified toys that do not have manufacturer information, which makes it difficult for consumers and government officials to identify and recall unsafe toys.

Choking on small toy parts, balloons and small balls continues to be the leading cause of toy-related deaths. According to new data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at lease 201 children died from 1990 to 2000 playing with toys. In 2000, 17 children died playing with toys, 6 of those from choking.

Federal regulations ban any toy that poses a choking hazard because of small parts if it has play value for children under three. The group also warned of heightened choking hazards associated with small balls. Small balls (from diameter of 1.25 to 1.75 inches) are banned for sale for children under three. "Tragically, children choke to death on toys and balls that are small enough to be put in the mouth and block the airway", added Hoopes.

Fifty-seven children have choked to death on parts of balloons since 1990. CoPIRG criticized retailers for marketing balloons with familiar toddler images like Winnie the Pooh or Baby's First Birthday messages. "Balloons are the leading cause of choking", said Hoopes. "Because of the choking hazard balloons are inappropriate for toddlers. Consumers should avoid latex balloons all together for children under 8, and even then used extreme caution, continued Hoopes.

The group warned consumers of toys containing toxic chemicals known as phthalates that are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic toys as a softener. The chemicals are linked to liver and kidney damage, are probably human carcinogens, and have already been banned by several European countries in toys for children under three. "It is outrageous that manufacturers are making toys with toxic chemicals and often labeling them non-toxic. Young children should not be chewing on toxic toys", said Hoopes.

CoPIRG identified a number of toys that pose hearing loss dangers to children. According to a 1998 study published by the Journal of American Medical Association, almost 15 percent of kids ages 6-17 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 should be aware of the dangers posed by loud toys. If a toy hurts your ears don't buy it for a child. Congress and the CPSC should develop noise limitation standards for children's products", said Hoopes.

CoPIRG also offered tips to consumers about the use of scooters. Between January 2001 and July 2001, the popular scooters were responsible fro 68,530 injuries were to children younger than 15 years old, with the most common injuries being fractures. CPSC has reports of 11 deaths relating to non-powered scooters so far in 2001. CoPIRG recommends the following tips for avoiding scooter injuries: Scooter users should wear proper safety gear including a helmet that meets CPSC's standard, and knee and elbow pads as well as wrist guards, ride scooters only on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic, and not ride scooters at night.

Online toy sales grew 22 percent in 2000---from $650 million in 1999 to $793 million. The group urged toy givers to be cautious about buying toys on-line. "While the internet offers consumers the convenience of avoiding toy stores and the possibility of making a purchase at anytime, Internet purchasers won't see child safety choke hazard warnings required by law on toys sold in stores", said Emily Hoopes.

In an analysis of 44 online toy retailers, CoPIRG found that not one online retailer posts the CPSC statutory warnings and only three included any safety labeling, and even these are not posted consistently. CoPIRG urges manufacturers to voluntarily provide child Safety Protection Act warnings on the web and urges Congress to pass H.R. 604, the Internet Toy Safety Awareness Act, introduced by Representative 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 actually plays with toys", Hoopes added. "While most manufacturers comply with the law, parents should not assume that all toys on store shelves are safe or adequately labeled", continued Hoopes. Consumers should get our tips for toy safety on the Web site, www.toysafety.net.

---