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Consumer Protection News
For Immediate Release:
11/23/2004
For More Information:
Bruce Speight (608) 251-9501 Consumer Group Alerts Shoppers to Hidden Toy Hazards
Hazardous toys
continue to be sold in stores across the country, according to a nationwide
survey released today by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group
(WISPIRG).
In 2003, more than 200,000 people sought treatment in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries; more than a third of those injured were under five years of age. Eleven children under the age of 15 died from toy related injuries in 2003. “Even one toy-related death is too many, because these deaths are preventable,” said Jennifer Giegerich, WISPIRG. The annual WISPIRG Trouble in Toyland report, available at www.toysafety.net, offers safety guidelines for purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards. WISPIRG's reports have led to more than 120 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls and other enforcement actions. The CPSC took action on 17 toys identified in the 2003 PIRG report. WISPIRG’s research focused on four categories of toy dangers: toys that pose choking hazards, toys that are dangerously loud, toys that contain toxic chemicals, and toys that pose strangulation hazards. Highlights of the report’s findings include: Choking Hazards: Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons remains a leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. WISPIRG researchers found:
Dangerously Loud Toys: Last year, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) set new, voluntary acoustics standard for toys in order to protect children’s hearing. The voluntary standard says that most toys should not produce a sound louder than 90 decibels when measured from a distance of about 10 inches. WISPIRG researchers tested several toys and found:
Potentially Toxic toys: WISPIRG researchers found many examples of children’s nail polish containing xylene, a synthetic chemical produced from petroleum, and dibutyl phthalate, a chemical recently banned in the European Union for use in children’s products. Since children are prone to putting their hands in their mouths, nail polish offers a direct route of exposure to these potentially toxic chemicals. WISPIRG recommended that parents carefully read product labeling and called on manufacturers to eliminate toxic chemicals from children’s cosmetic sets. Strangulation Hazards: Several countries, including the United Kingdom, have banned the popular yo-yo water ball because of incidents in which the toy wrapped tightly around children’s necks or caused other injuries to the eyes, face and head. As of October 2004, the CPSC had received almost 400 injury reports related to yo-yo water balls, including four here in Wisconsin. Despite the growing numbers of injuries sustained by children playing with the yo-yo water ball, the CPSC has not taken action. The CPSC is well aware of the dangers posed by this toy. In October, CPSC Chairman Stratton testified before Congress that he had taken away his own child’s yo-yo water ball, Giegerich noted. WISPIRG called on the CPSC to ban sales of all water yo-yo ball products immediately. “The CPSC should not wait until a child dies to protect children from the dangers posed by playing with this toy,” said Giegerich. "Parents need to be aware of the age and safety recommendations on every single toy," said Nan Peterson, SAFE KIDS Director and UW Children's Hospital nurse. "They also need to take into account not only children's cognitive skills, but their capacity to handle the toy safely." Giegerich noted that the toy list in the WISPIRG report is only a sampling of the potential hazards on store shelves. “Shoppers should examine all toys carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase this holiday season,” Giegerich added. “While most manufacturers comply with the law, parents should not assume that all toys on store shelves are safe or adequately labeled,” continued Giegerich. "If a parent discovers a toy that is dangerous or harmful to a child, they should contact Consumer Protection and file a complaint at 1-800-422-7128," said Product Safety Investigator Michelle Reinen. "In Wisconsin, we work hard to keep children safe from dangerous toys and other products by investigating hazardous product reports, such as the lead in sidewalk chalk last year. To be most effective, we need consumers to help by reporting the problems to us." WISPIRG is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization dedicated to environmental protection, consumer rights, and good government. The full report is available at http://www.toysafety.net/. The short brochure “PIRG’s Tips for Toy Safety,” is also available for download in both English and Spanish. |
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