ATTORNEY GENERAL CURRAN URGES CONSUMERS TO BE VIGILANT WHEN SHOPPING FOR CHILDREN’S TOYS

In the midst of the holiday season, Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. urges Marylanders, as they venture out to do their holiday shopping, to be vigilant when shopping for children’s toys. “Parents need to know what toys are dangerous and how to choose toys that are safe and appropriate for their child’s age,” Attorney General Curran said.

Recently, recalls have been issued on such things as toy mood necklaces containing high levels of lead and “Polly Pocket” toys that were choking hazards, for example.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that more than 210,000 children visited emergency rooms as a result of toy-related injuries in 2004. Today, toy manufacturers must comply with federal toy-making regulations on such things as: small parts that could lodge in the throat, sharp points and edges, paint and toxic materials.

Despite improved oversight, Attorney General Curran wants consumers to know there are two things they need to do to help protect their children from harmful toys: learn the guidelines for buying toys that are safe and appropriate for a child’s age, and stay informed of recalls.

Consumers can visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, www.cpsc.gov, to see a list of toys recalled for being potentially dangerous, and they can sign up to receive the Commission’s recall notices by e-mail.

Attorney General Curran also recommended that parents check out Maryland Public Interest Group’s  www.toysafety.net. The site lists potentially hazardous toys found in stores during a recent survey of stores in Maryland and Virginia.

Guidelines for Protecting Your Children from Unsafe Toys:

• Read the label and follow the manufacturer’s age recommendations.
• Avoid over-complicated toys. Be certain you—and when necessary your child—understand the directions or instructions on a toy.
• Avoid toys with sharp edges, small parts or strings.
• Check on what material is inside stuffed toys. Beans, chopped walnut shells or little plastic pellets can cause injuries if the toy is torn open or they fall out
• Inspect your older toys for wear and tear.
• Every toy is not for every tot. Teach your older children to keep toys that could be harmful to smaller kids out of the reach of younger children.