Toy shoppers shop can shop with confidence, CPSC says

Toy shoppers shop can shop with confidence, CPSC says (Added: November 17, 2011)

Trying to find the perfect toys for the holidays? The Consumer Product Safety Commission says this year you can buy gifts with more confidence than ever before. (more)

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By: Dawn Jefferies | WSLS 10
Published: November 16, 2011

ROANOKE, VA --

Trying to find the perfect toys for the holidays? The Consumer Product Safety Commission says this year you can buy gifts with more confidence than ever before. In 2008, the agency reports, there were 172 toy recalls. In 2011, it was down to 34.

There were 19 toys recalled for excessive lead in 2008, down to 4 in 2011. The reason, mandatory federal rules to help make toys safer. "All children's products and this includes toys, must be tested by an independent, third party laboratory and certified that the toy meets the new toy standards," explained CPSC Chairman Inez Moore Tenenbaum.

But that's only the beginning. There were 17 toy related deaths in 2010, half of them attributed to children swallowing balloons and small parts. The CPSC says it's important for shoppers to pick appropriate gifts. "Buy a toy that's age appropriate for your child, make sure young children don't have access to small parts or sharp objects, make sure if you buy a motorized scooter you also get the helmet, knee pads and elbow pads." Non motorized scooters are the type of toy to blame for most reported injuries.

Tenenbaum says the work doesn't stop once the gifts are opened. "When that paper and plastic falls on the floor, make sure you pick it up because little children love to put things in their mouth or over their heads and they can suffocate or choke." She also recommends watching out for button sized batteries which can come out and prove dangerous. They're tragedies that in many cases are preventable.