Governing Toy Safety

Unfortunately, just like so many other things mentioned in this blog, you have to be a vigilant parent to know what’s harmful. And with toys, there’s a huge responsibility because there is no comprehensive list of dangerous toys.

Who tests toys?
While the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent federal agency, sets safety standards for toys made after 1995, the CPSC does not test all toys. And not all toys meet the CPSC standards. They’re still sold, though, much to the danger of children. Because there’s no label that addresses a toy that has – or hasn’t – met CPSC standards, consumers are left in the dark.

The CPSC did pass two significant acts: the Federal Hazardous Substances Act in 1977 banned the use of lead-based paint, and the Child Safety Protection Act of 1994 instituted a labeling law for choking hazards. Now, small balls, marbles, and balloons must include a choking hazard label. 1 However, toys manufactured before both acts are exempt from the standards.

Other groups, including the Toy Industry Association, set toy safety standards after analyzing injuries caused by toys.

Somewhat surprisingly, there aren’t many toy-related injuries compared to the sheer number of toys sold. For example, more than three billion toys were sold in 2005, yet there were only slightly more than two-hundred thousand toy-related injuries and twenty toy-related deaths. 2 That’s an average of one death for every one-hundred-fifty million toys sold.

What happens when a toy is unsafe?

When a toy is unsafe, a recall is issued. And, for the most part, recalls are voluntary. Sometimes they’re commonsensical and usually based on a choking or strangulation hazard. Every now and then, unusual recalls are made – like sewing needles found in stuffed animals. Once a toy is recalled, it should be disposed of; it’s illegal to try to resell a recalled product.

About one dozen toys are recalled each month – parents can check if their children are playing with recalled toys by visiting Recalls.gov or U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Toy Hazard Recalls. An interactive toy selection and recall website is available at Toy Safety.

Unfortunately, recalls aren’t always helpful. For parents who are unaware of the recall, the toy stays in the child’s toy box, and all the children in the house potentially could play with the dangerous toy.

Source

1. and 2. “Toy Safety in the United States.” Toy Industry Association, Inc. July 2007. 

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