CPSC Releases Toy Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns gift-givers to keep safety in mind
when choosing toys for young children. In 1997 CPSC received reports of 13
toy-related deaths and over 141,000 children who were treated in hospital
emergency rooms for toy-related injuries.
"These deaths were not only tragedies, they were also preventable,"
cautioned CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "It's important for parents and
caregivers to take the time to read age-appropriate labels when choosing toys.
This information can save a child's life."
CPSC requires labels to be on all toys marketed for children from 3 years
old up to 6 years old if the toys pose a choking hazard to children under age
3. These labels tell consumers two critical things: They let them know that a
toy is not safe for younger children and why it is not safe. Before CPSC issued
these labeling requirements, it was more difficult for consumers to know
whether toys they bought for older children could be a danger to younger
kids.
CPSC has the most stringent toy safety standards in the world, and toys on
store shelves are safe because of the day-to-day compliance work by CPSC. In
fiscal year 1998, CPSC obtained 120 toy and children's product recalls
involving more than 5.9 million product units to help prevent tragic injuries
and deaths. CPSC recently topped the number of units recalled in all of the
last fiscal year by obtaining one of the largest toy recalls in the agency's
history. In October, CPSC and Fisher-Price recalled about 10 million Power
Wheels Ride-On Battery-Powered Vehicles.
Consumers can help prevent toy-related injuries and deaths by always
reading labels and being safety conscious. The following tips will help
consumers choose appropriate toys this holiday season and all year round:
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of the intended
child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.
For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with
small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
For all children under age 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age 8.
Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that
information as a guide.
Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other
potential small parts.
Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when
appropriate, to the child.
Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately, which can cause suffocation,
before they become deadly playthings.
By using common sense and these safety suggestions, holiday shoppers can
make informed decisions when purchasing toys for children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury
or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the
agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product
or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's
fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800)
638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a
press release through fax-on-demand, call
(301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the
release number. Consumers can obtain this
release and recall information at CPSC's web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov.
Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.
