In the news

The Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group's 26th annual Trouble in Toyland report, released Tuesday, encouraged parents not to buy balloons for children under 8 because they present a potential choking hazard.

Pieces of burst balloons pose a problem for children, said WISPIRG director Bruce Speight, who during a press conference held up a package of "Thomas & Friends" balloons, which appeal to toddlers and are often used to celebrate infant birthdays.

"We all know that toddlers put everything in their mouths. Between 2005 and 2009, at least 41 children have choked to death on balloons, balls, toys, or parts of toys," Speight said, noting that 40 percent of choking fatalities are due to balloons.

The 1994 Consumer Product Safety Act requires that all balloons include a choke hazard warning alerting parents to the dangers of balloons and broken balloons for children under 8.

In the past year, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 3.5 million toys and other children's products from store shelves because of choking hazards — the leading cause of such actions, Speight said.

The report shows the results of laboratory testing on toys for lead and phthalates, a chemical that poses developmental hazards for small children. The survey also found toys that are noise hazards.

Two toys on the list contain levels of phthalates at 40 and 70 times the allowable limits: "Funny Glasses" manufactured by Joking Around, and a girl's sleep mask manufactured by Claire's.

Several items, including "Little Hands Love Book" from Piggy Toes Press, violate allowable limits of lead, which can negatively affect almost every organ in the body. An "Elmo's World" talking cellphone was deemed excessively noisy and could damage a child's hearing, the report said.

WISPIRG has designed a website, www.toysafety.mobi, showing the toys deemed unsafe in the report. It can be also be accessed on smartphones while out toy shopping, Speight pointed out.

Nicole Vesely, American Family Children's Hospitals' Safe Kids Madison Area Coordinator, urged parents to be cautious and aware this holiday season, buying toys that are appropriate to a child's age and abilities, as indicated by safety labels.

"And don't forget that some gifts shouldn't be given without the proper protective gear such as helmets and knee pads, which are necessities, not accessories," she said.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/some-toys-can-pose-hidden-or-pote...