Trouble in Toyland

   Despite the passage of the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act, a new CALPIRG study found that toys on store shelves still pose a threat to children. In the last 15 years, this annual report has resulted in over 100 recalls and other enforcement actions.
While the group’s 16th annual survey noted signs of improvement, last year an estimated 192,000 people went to the emergency room for toy-related injuries. Of them, 79 percent were younger than 15 years old.
   “Children needlessly choke to death on toys, and toys that pose hazards to children can still be found on store shelves, we believe toys should bring joy and excitement not trips to the emergency room this holiday season,” CALPIRG’s Jennette Gayer said. “Consumers should remember that just because a toy is in the store, or doesn’t appear in CALPIRG’s report, that doesn’t mean it is safe.”
   The annual report, “Trouble in Toyland” highlights potential hazards posed by toys found during a survey of stores in October and November, cautioning consumers about hazards in five categories: choking hazards including balloons, toxic chemicals, hearing loss hazards, scooter dangers, and purchasing toys on the Internet.
   Choking on small toy parts, balloons and small balls continues to be the leading cause of toy-related deaths. According to new data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 207 children died from 1990 to 2000 playing with toys. In 2000, 17 children died playing with toys, six from choking.
   Federal regulations ban any toy that poses a choking hazard because of small parts if it has “play value” for children under three. The group also warned of the heightened choking hazards associated with small balls.
   “Tragically, children choke to death on toys and balls that are small enough to be put in the mouth and block the airway,” Gayer said.
   Since 1990, 57 children have choked to death on parts of balloons. CALPIRG criticized retailers for marketing balloons with familiar toddler images like Winnie the Pooh or with “Baby’s First Birthday” messages.
   “Balloons are a leading cause of choking,” Gayer said. “Because of the choking hazard, balloons are inappropriate for toddlers. Consumers should avoid latex balloons altogether for children under 8, and even then use extreme caution.”
   The study also warns consumers of toys containing toxic chemicals known as phthalates that are added to polyvinyl chloride plastic toys as a softener. The chemicals are linked to liver and kidney damage, are probably human carcinogens, and have already been banned by several European countries in toys for children under three.
   CALPIRG identified a number of toys that pose hearing loss dangers to children. According to a 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, almost 15 percent of kids ages 6 to 17 show signs of hearing loss. No federal regulations regulate the noise level of toys, but toys with sounds of 85 decibels or over can significantly affect a child’s hearing.
   Online toy sales grew 22 percent in 2000, from $650 million in 1999, to $793 million. The group urged caution in buying toys on-line. “While the internet offers consumers the convenience of avoiding toy stores and the possibility of making a purchase at anytime, internet purchasers won’t see child safety choke hazard warnings required by law on toys sold in stores. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11 many toy shoppers may feel safer shopping from home, we hope this will not bring an increase in toy-related injuries,” Gayer said.
   “Shoppers should examine all toys carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase and should think about how a child actually plays with toys,” Gayer said. “While most manufacturers comply with the law, parents should not assume that all toys on store shelves are safe or adequately labeled.”
   CALPIRG’s complete study is available online at www.toysafety.net.