43
Group sounds warning alarm on unsafe toys
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
An advocacy group is making its annual plea for shoppers to be careful when buying toys, after finding high levels of lead or choking hazards in products currently on store shelves.
The Ohio Public Research Group released its “Trouble in Toyland” study Tuesday in Columbus in advance of the coming holiday shopping season, which unofficially kicks off Friday.
This is the 25th year group has released the report, which has led to more than 150 recalls or other actions for toys it identified as dangerous for youngsters.
“We’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s still danger in the toy box,” said Jeff Griffin, a program associate the group. “Not all the dangerous toys that we found actually violate the law, so consumers need to be very watchful when shopping for their children.”
This year’s study identified nine toys currently being sold in stores, including a Princess Expressions Tiara and Jewelry Set being sold at Kmart, “Bright Stars Travel Book” sold at Toys “R” Us and Wild Ranger Gun Toy sold at Family Dollar. All contained what the group called unsafe levels of lead or other toxic material.
Additionally, a wooden train set available online and a Handy Manny construction toy set sold at Target had parts that could pose a choking hazard.
Griffin urged parents to “always examine toys carefully for potential dangers before you make a purchase. And consumers should report unsafe toys to the Consumer Products Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.”
The group also called on federal officials to increase safety standards to stop dangerous toys from being sold by retailers.
“There’s still more to be done, especially in preventing choking hazards and removing ... toxic chemicals from our toys,” Griffin said. “The CPSC should revise their small parts standards to better protect children and the toys that they play with.”
Additional information about the study and unsafe toys is available online at www.toysafety.mobi.