Consumer Protection News

Hazardous 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 Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG).

More than 212,000 people sought treatment in hospital emergency rooms in 2002 for toy-related injuries, of which more than a third were under five years old. Thirteen children died from toy related injuries in 2002.

"Even one toy-related death is too many, because these deaths are preventable," said Jennifer Giegerich, WISPIRG state director

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.

"Toys are an important part of a child's development," says Nan Peterson, SAFE KIDS Coordinator and UW Children's Hospital nurse. "But parents need to follow the age and safety recommendations on the labels of each toy. They take into account not only children's cognitive skills, but their ability to handle the toy safely as well."

WISPIRG's research focused on four categories of toy dangers: toys that pose choking hazards, toys that are dangerously loud, toys that pose strangulation hazards or could form dangerous projectiles, and toys that contain toxic chemicals.

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:

­ Manufacturers and retailers continue to sell toys that have small parts but are not labeled with the choke hazard warning required by law;

­ Balloons are still manufactured and marketed in shapes and colors attractive to young children and are often sold in unlabeled bins, in violation of the law requiring that they be labeled as unsafe for children younger than eight years old; and

­ Toy manufacturers are over-labeling toys by placing choke hazard warnings on items that do not contain small parts or small balls.

Dangerously Loud Toys: Just this month, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) set a new acoustics standard for toys in order to protect children's hearing. The new standard says that most toys should not produce a sound louder than 90 decibels when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters. Close-to-the-ear toys, like toy cell phones, should not exceed 70 decibels when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters.

"Wisconsin is pleased to see the new standard put into place," says Jim Rabbitt, Administrator, Division of Trade & Consumer Protection. "We were a leader in educating parents about this hazard and surprised many parents with our decimeter demonstrations."

WISPIRG researchers tested several toys for the new acoustic standards and found:

­ Several toys currently on toy store shelves may not meet the new ASTM standards for appropriately loud toys;

­ Several toys currently on toy store shelves exceed 100 decibels when measured at close range. Prolonged exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher can result in hearing damage.

Toxic Hazards: WISPIRG researchers surveyed more than 40 toy manufacturers about their use of phthalates in children's toys and other products. Of those who responded, most reported that they have stopped using phthalates in teethers, mouthing toys and other toys and products intended for children under three, although several admitted that toys for older children may contain these chemicals.

"The good news is that most manufacturers have responded to the concerns of parents and scientists by phasing out phthalates in plastic toys intended for children under three," noted Giegerich "The bad news is that WISPIRG still found toxic chemicals in other children's products."

WISPIRG identified several children's cosmetic sets containing xylene and popular brands of polymer modeling clay containing high concentrations of phthalates.

Yo-yo Water Balls: 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. In September 2003, CPSC announced that it would not recall the product. Instead, the agency advised parents to supervise use of the toy, cut its cord, or throw it away.

"CPSC should do more to alert parents to the very real and documented hazards posed by this toy to children under 8," said Giegerich

WISPIRG called on CPSC to recall the yo-yo ball and issue a moratorium on sales until manufacturers properly label the toys, by warning that improper use can lead to strangulation and other bodily injury and that the toy is not suitable for children under 8 years old.

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

WISPIRG is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization dedicated to environmental protection, consumer rights, and good government. The full report is available at www.toysafety.net.

The Madison Area SAFE KIDS Coalition is part of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury—the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. More than 300 and local SAFE KIDS coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico comprise the Campaign. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D., is chairman of the Campaign.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection handles more than 100,000 complaints a year, with over a 90 percent satisfaction rate and average savings of more than $550.