WASHINGTON, D.C. - As gift-givers shop for that perfect toy this holiday season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is emphasizing the importance of shopping safely. Knowing your ABCs of toy safety will make for happy holidays: (A) awareness, and knowing the (B) benefits, for (C) consumers - (Awareness Benefits Consumers). | Take Action |
To choose appropriate toys for children:
Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
For all children under eight, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys once gifts are opened, to prevent them from becoming dangerous play things.
Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging. |
Awareness is not only knowing there is a CPSC and what the agency does to protect consumers, but also being aware of what poses the greatest risks. The leading causes of toy-related fatalities include choking and aspiration of toy parts.
The increased scrutiny of toys and the CPSC has led to B, or benefits, to consumers. CPSC has increased the agency's inspections of toys and is taking the action needed to remove violative products from the marketplace. More companies are testing their products and reporting possible safety problems.
The Chinese government has signed new agreements to conduct pre-export inspections to prevent lead painted toys and other unsafe toys from being exported to the United States.
"CPSC recalled 61 toys involving more than 25 million product units in 2007, underscoring CPSC's daily commitment to keeping consumers safe 365 days a year," said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord. "Toys today are undergoing more inspection and more intense scrutiny than ever before."
Finally C, consumers should stay informed and be aware of recalls by signing up to receive direct e-mail notification of recalls at www.cpsc.gov. CPSC has launched a "Drive to 1 Million" to sign up at least 1 million consumers to receive this direct notification.
Consumers can also be more aware by shopping with CPSC's Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:
Ride-on Toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
Small Parts - For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
Magnets - For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
Projectile Toys - Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
Chargers and Adapters - Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp.
