Avoid Recalled Toys At Christmas

See larger image Toysmith Busy Zoo Activity Center (Baby Product) List Price: $99.99 USD Release date July 27, 2009.

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Kids love getting gifts for Christmas, especially toys. Once they start seeing Christmas decorations in the stores and around the neighborhood, they start dreaming about what they will find under the tree on Christmas Morning. As parents, we want our kids to be happy and when possible and appropriate, we try our best to give them what they want for Christmas. However, it seems like there are more toy recalls each year. Toys are recalled when there is something dangerous about the toy or toxic in the way it was made. We need to be aware of what toys have been recalled and what to look for when purchasing toys so the gift is received with joy instead of disaster.

The usual way a recall starts is with an investigation into the reports of incidents and injuries or from tests that are conducted in quality controlled labs. Unfortunately, many have already been injured from a dangerous toy before an investigation is started. Currently on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website, there are a whole page of recalls. As of today, the most recent recalls involve toy army figures that violate the lead paint standard, Groovy Fashions Sassy Jammies Doll Clothing Sets that violate the lead paint standard, and Reebok Hockey Helmets due to head and neck injuries because of a faulty chin strap. Other recalls include MagnaMan Figures, Toy Tool Benches and MEGA brands Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-school Magnetic Toys. MEGA Brands and CPSC have received 19 reports of magnets coming loose, including one report of a 3-year-old boy receiving medical treatment to remove a magnet from his nasal cavity and one report of an 18-month-old boy with a magnet in his mouth, which was thankfully, not swallowed.

In a perfect world, the companies quality control department would discover dangerous situations before toys hit the shelves so that no child would become injured or ill from playing with a toy. Safety standards are obviously an important part of any product manufacturing process. Obeying these standards should be expected especially when the products are made to be used by children. Monitoring and enforcing these regulations should be of the highest level of priority of the US Government. There should be a hefty price to pay for violating these standards.

Thankfully, we have a way of finding out what toys have already been recalled by way of websites such as the US Consumer Product Safety Commission or at the toy manufacturers website. When a determination has been made by a company to recall a toy, they usually set up a hotline and information on the compant website that addresses the recall issue and what consumers are suppossed to do if they have the product in their possession. Many news agencies make recalls public by announcing and giving information about the toy to the public using their media coverage ability.

It is a good idea to fill out the registration card that comes with products you buy so that companies can update you on issues with that product including recalls. The best thing you can do regarding giving toys at Christmas or at anytime of the year is to stay informed and pay attention to any news regarding recalls.