Recent Toy Recalls

Today, another toy recall was announced. Beads from a popular craft kit put several kids into the hospital when they ingested a drug in the coating. I was one of the mothers who had bought this toy for my daughter. Unlike the other mothers, whose kids got sick from it, I hadn’t yet given it to my daughter. However, it was such a close call that I’m still shaken.

I consider myself a good mother. I’m very careful about the food and personal products I buy for my family. Most of the time, if I can afford it, I buy organic food, much of it locally grown. We don’t buy a lot of toys, and we try to buy from companies we trust. I look for safe toys online and read everything I can find about toy safety in magazines and newspapers. I’m an info junkie anyhow, so it’s easy for me.

So why did I miss the first couple of toy recalls? And why didn’t I look a little more closely at the Aquadots I bought for my daughter? Why didn’t I investigate to find out what material they were made from? My carelessness could have cost my daughter her health or even her life.This has really been a wake-up call for me.

The ironic part of this whole incident is that before the dots were recalled, I’d already started to blog about the toy recalls and had even started a blog where I listed safe toy companies and toy recall lists. All this while the tainted toy sat upstairs in my craft cupboard where my daughter could have grabbed it at anytime. This just shows how even a very well-informed and well-intentioned parent can make mistakes when it comes to toy safety. When we’re shopping for toys, I think we get caught up in how cool the toy is, how much our child will like it and the packaging, instead of thinking safety first.

As we move into the holiday season, I’ve made a vow not to take any chances with my kids’ safety. When I shop for toys, I’m going to stick with companies I trust, most of them from Europe, where toy safety standards are a lot higher than they are in this country. Even with these companies, I’m going to be very careful to choose toys made of material that I know is safe and tested. I’m going to stick with tried and true toys, not the latest glitzy gimcrack or character-based toy. I’ve learned that my kids’ favorite toys have turned out to be toys that allow them to be creative, not one-trick ponies.

If you’d like to make sure that your kids have safe toys this holiday season, How To Find Safe Toys is a place that can help. Here, you’ll find a growing list of companies who are dedicated to selling quality toys in an ethical manner. You’ll also find the latest toy and other child-related recalls, and news for parents and consumers. Join my daughter and me as we promote toy safety with companies that feel as strongly as we do about keeping our kids safe.

The state of California is suing some major toy retailers like Mattel, Wal-Mart, Costco, and Target over the recent toy recalls. The recalls occurred due to high levels of toxic lead paint found in numerous preschooler toys that were manufactured in China. The lawsuit has come about in an effort to enforce stricter policies to prevent dangerous consumer products from entering the U.S. marketplace. It is stated in the law that the one responsible for importing products into the country is also responsible for the quality and safety of those imported goods.

So is the government doing their job and watching out for our consumer safety? It seems that dangerous products are entering the country on a regular basis. One watch dog group went out and purchased one hundred children’s toys and found that nine of those were not fit for consumer use. Many of these watch dog groups agree that the heart of the problem lies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC has inspectors that monitor toys that are manufactured domestically and those that enter the country. So if there is an agency in place to protect U.S. consumers, then why all of the problems?

It seems that everyone agrees that the lack of funding to the CPSC has contributed to the problem. Consumer interest activist’s biggest argument is that the lack of government funding has prevented these type of agencies from having the necessary resources to protect consumers. The CPSC has also stated that the recent toy recall epidemic is due to outdated facilities and under funding. It seems that there are also problems in the CPSC’s leadership according to evidence from their own internal documents. Apparently those in charge have put our children’s safety to the side by covering up test results and manipulating some of the testing in order to protect the toy industry from any inconveniences.

With all of the recent media coverage and the California lawsuit, the hope is that retailers will be forced to use more scrutiny before placing products on the market for sale. The industry has put our children in harms way just to save a buck by using cheap foreign manufacturers, and government agencies have failed to protect us by allowing relaxed policies to exist. With the new lawsuit, toy retailers could be forced to pay fines up to $2500 per toy violation per day. This could potentially mean millions of dollars in fines.

As parents, we can’t assume that we are being protected. We need to take an active roll in protecting our families from harm. Make sure to look at the toy recall list and make sure you don’t have any toys in your home that could be harmful. If you find a toy that has been recalled then make sure to return it to the store you got it from. If you are not sure where the toy was purchased, then Toys-R-Us is accepting toys on the recall list no matter where they were purchased. This holiday season make sure that you are buying safe toys for your child.

The newspapers, TV station, internet and parents forum and office corridor conversation are talking about the recent Mattel toy recall. As a mum to my 5 year old angel, I am extremely concern about this message. My mum told me this news on first recall some 2 weeks ago. I brushed it aside thinking this happened only in China. But at the back of my mind, my mind is racing and pulling out my collections of the most recent toys which my husband, my colleagues in China has bought for my daughter. Yes there are Barbie toys, lots of it.

Just yesterday, on the Singapore main newspaper and TV station, news of Mattel Toy recall was highlighted prominently. Quickly, I did a metal check and realized that 30 % of my daughter’s toys (given as gifts from relatives, friends, my parents) are from Mattel. Ranging from Barbie, Polly Pockets, Dora and some other Disney characters. My heart beats fast, I am becoming seriously worried.

Turning onto my internet, I started surfing Mattel website for more recall information. The link pointing to Singapore recall was up but stated as under - construction (Yuks, this is no good!). I check on the Mattel Care hotline (available only during office hours). The phone has been engaged the full day.

I am frustrated. I am extremely concern as the news of Dora toy recall was mentioned in our newspaper but not on Mattel Website. This is conflicting

As I have subscribed to Fisher Price ’s (subsidiary brand of Mattel) newsletter for toys and updates, I was surprised that Mattel CEO Bob Eckert sent emails to its Fisher price membership mailing list informing of their recall.

Anyway, I am prepared to sent these toys back to Mattel. However, how am I going to tell my ”princess” that she will not have her toys to play with? 30% of her toy (2 full boxes) and 1 big Dora house ! My parenting instinct tells me that I have to tell her camly and let her emotionally prepared to part with her toys willingly.

So I pulled her aside, show her the newspaper (which fortunately has pictures of Barbie and other toys). I told her some “bad” people use bad paint and magnets in these toys. The bad things on thse toys will hurt her and cause her to be sick. So Mummy is worried about her health. I specifically use these words ”Mummy loves you and do not want to see you sick. If these paints on the toys will cause you sick, I will take it away.” She started to understand what I meant. She said ” Yeah, I do not want to be sick. I cannot go Sunday school and roller blade when I am sick.” So I told her” So no Barbie dolls and Dora toys as Mummy wants to put it away.” She replied and nodded with a ”Yes”.

So it was good for me. My ”princess” was very understanding and she has taken this well.

As for me, nothing is more important than the health of my daughter. I am sure the rest of the parents also share this too.

However some tips sharing with parents when choosing toys.

1. Choose Brands that are well established.

Most of these companies are more responsible and will take actions if anything happen or they will tighten their Quality Control process.

2. Choose toys that are relevant to children’s age.

3. Check the ingredients used to make the toys and the countries where it was manufactured.

Yes nearly 80 % of the toys are manufactured in China.

Example: Wooden brick toys. Those made from non toxic paint from Israel may cause S$80 per pail versus S$8 from a store in Singapore (made in China) or RMB 8 in China Once, my princess got wooden blister on her finger when playing one of this when she was just 36 months.

4. For special occasion like birthdays or Christmas or children’s day, you can provide a list of toys or gifts who want to buy something for your kids. This can prevent duplication of same toys or too much of one type of toys versus others.

5. Identify if the toy can help the child in

- Pure creative playing ( Example: Finger puppets)

- Innovation ( Example: Beach or garden tool set for exploration)

- Problem solving (Puzzle; starts with 2,3,4,6 pieces goes onto 12-24-64 pieces as they grow older)

- Role play (Doll house, dressing up)

Acting different characters (Papa or mama, rabbit, kitten or tiger etc.)

Whatever it is, a toy given to a child should not be viewed just as a pacifier or a tool of convenience for busy parents. Each items given to a child, especially when they are younger as babies or toddlers, must be selected with care and considerations. Toys are very important part of children’s activities especially when they are young. So choose with considerations and much thoughts.

Amidst the Mattel Toy recall from lead poisoning, there are three must do’s behind the frightening situation. The United States government has created a few resources for lead poisoning in toys. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead poisoning in toys is preventable. Parents must take some major steps in identifying lead poisoning in toys include stopping children from coming into contact with lead as well as treating children who have been poisoned by lead poisoning in toys. The goal is to prevent lead poisoning in toys exposure to children before they are afflicted. There are many ways parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead poisoning in toys. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead poisoning in toys. Sounds simple. When parents doubt whether there are lead poisoning in toys, the can purchase a lead test kit. Items such as pacifiers and bibs in which babies have mouth contact with should be tested.

There are great resources for government websites for finding lead poisoning in toys. Parents, don’t be overwhelmed with an abundance of information regarding lead poisoning in toys. Parents can registers for the Recall List. From our research, certain foods can affect lead absorption. Eating a diet high in calcium and iron as well as low in fat can help. Parents also need to look for certain symptoms of lead poisoning such as lost of memory. Parents must realize that the Mattel Toy recall was due in part of not only tainted toys by design recall as well. Consumer toys are not the only things that may be tainted with lead poisoning but paint from the walls of old houses as well. The best advice is to take active steps to ensure the safety of your children.

Recap: Must Do’s

-get a test kit to test toys especially babies’ bib and pacifiers

-sign up for toy recall list so that updated information will be emailed to your email box

-look for symptoms of lead poisoning

With a recall of close to 21 million toys; Mattel Toy manufacturer and

parents of children playing with Mattel toys, like Sesame Street

characters, Barbie and Polly Pocket, Batman and Fisher-Price trains,

face significant fear of potential cases of lead poisoning and high

lead toxicity levels in children.

For worrysome parents wondering if

their children are impacted by potential lead toxicity; there are a few

signs to watch out for as well as a few dietary adjustments that can

positively effect children’s health.Lead toxicity has been problematic

for children world wide and has been recognized for thousands of years.

Sypmtoms characterized by lead poisoning are colicky abdominal pains,

vomiting, fagitue, dizziness, headaches, anemia and even seizures.

Often children do not present symptoms and your best bet is to have

their blood tested for lead. Parents can help safeguard their

children’s natural defenses against lead poisoning by feeding their

children an organic diet rich in iron, calcium and fiber. Foods rich in

iron and calcium reduce lead absorption. Additionally, diets high in

fiber decrease lead absorption.

Fortified whole grain breads and

cereals are key in your child’s diet. Avoid high fat diets as they

speed lead absorption. Two super foods to prevent lead poisoning:

Spinach and Brown Rice.Children absorb lead either through inhalation

or ingestion; they absorb 30% more lead than adults. In the body, lead

alters cellular and mitochondiral membranes; ultimately harming and

impacting cells. Often this impact is classified as cellular fragility.

It is particularly most harmful in children who’s cells are growing at

rapid speeds and it retards the release of human growth hormone and can

cause learning disabilities, behavior problems and even organ damage.

According to Rania Habal, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of

Emergency Medicine at New York Medicine College: Lead Exposure/Lead

Poisoning symptoms to look for based on toxicity levels include:

Mild toxicity -

Fatigue, loss of interest in play and leisure activity, mood

disorders, irritability, aggressive behavior, sleep

disturbances

Moderate toxicity -

Headache, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness,

tremors, hyperreflexia, numbness of the lower extremities

Severe toxicity -

Lead encephalopathy that may occur with or without cerebral

edema, headaches with vomiting, lethargy alternating with lucidity,

bizarre and aggressive behavior, clumsiness, loss of coordination,

altered sensorium, seizures, and coma

Mild toxicity -

Anorexia,constipation, intermittent severe abdominal pain

Moderate toxicity -

Abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss, constipation, diarrhea

Severe toxicity -

Severe abdominal pain; vomiting and diarrhea with extensive

fluid losses, leading to circulatory collapse

Other -

Moderate lead

toxicity is associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, including bone

and joint pains and muscular weakness, especially of the dominant upper

extremity.An organic diet will always has a positive impact on your

children’s heath and wellbeing and can reduce other risk factors as

well as limit lead absorption.

Many parents are up in arms about the recent spate of toy recalls. Dolls, action figures, ride-on toys, even teethers have been recalled. Lead paint, magnets that can detach, chemicals in plastic that are unsafe… It seems like everyday there’s a new recall.

Outside of returning the toys and getting a refund, what can a parent do? Who is responsible for toy safety? Is it enough to buy toys from reputable merchants? Or is there more that parents can do to be sure that their kids aren’t victims of unsafe toys?

Ultimately, of course, we as parents are responsible for keeping our kids safe. It’s not realistic to think that every toy can be tested for safety, or that every so-called safe toy is safe for every child.

It’s so important to make sure that toys are age-appropriate and right for the developmental level of our children. It’s our duty as parents to make our decisions about toy buying based on what we feel is right for our child, not what it says on the box or what someone else thinks is appropriate.

So it would seem that keeping kids safe is a shared responsibility between manufacturers, parents and government agencies designed to protect consumers. Manufacturers need to produce safe toys so that they will retain the trust of parents, who are the biggest buyers of toys. At the same time, parents need to police their children’s toys, stay current on the latest safe toy info and check the recalls frequently.

When there is a recall, it’s important that parents don’t leave it up to their kids to find and dispose of the recalled toy. For one thing, children might not understand the seriousness of lead paint of magnets that can be swallowed by a younger sibling. They might be very attached to the recalled toy and be unwilling to discard it or give it to their parent.

Parents should go through all of the toys in the house every once in awhile, just to make sure that toys haven’t broken or developed sharp surfaces or chipped paint. It’s easier to keep track of toys if children are encouraged to have a “place for everything” rather than just throwing all their toys into one large bin. Individual baskets for each type of toy make it easy to go through them quickly.

The bottom line is that we’re all responsible for toy safety, but the manufacturers bear the biggest burden, because they profit from the toys. They control the factories and the workers and that means that they are the first line of defense against unsafe toys. When there’s a recall, parents will blame them, even if they’ve outsourced the manufacture of the toy. It behooves them to do a better job of protecting children.