The government and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are closely monitoring those toys they consider dangerous, but remain on store shelves. The CPSC has initiated numerous recalls of toys they consider to be a dangerous product and have stopped millions more from getting into the U.S.
CPSC statistics indicate that over 190,000 children suffered injury, including 13 deaths, while playing with unsafe toys in Pittsburgh and around the country in 2011. Incredibly, some of these dangerous toys are still on the market, even after being identified as the cause of serious injury or death.
Magnets are a consistent cause of injury, as children can't seem to resist the allure. One dangerous product contains multiple little magnets and often swallowed by children. The selling company refuses to recall this product and advised the CPSC it will vigorously fight a lawsuit, as it contends the product is marketed to adults and harmless to humans if used correctly.
New government laws are helping the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and CPSC keep some dangerous toys from entering the country. Unfortunately, these groups can only inspect a small percentage of toys coming from foreign countries.
Government officials remind warn parents that the ultimate protection comes from parental supervision. For example, the top cause of injury in 2011 was kids falling off scooters, which remain very popular. These cases serve to warn everyone, that, while not a dangerous toy, scooters can cause injury should parents not pay close attention when their kids use them. The CPSC chairwoman reminds everyone, "A safe toy plus supervision equals a happy holiday."
Do you have any suggestions for parents buying toys and exercising greater supervision of their children when they're using otherwise safe products?
Source: MSNBC, "Rossen Reports: New warning about dangerous toys," Jeff Rossen and Avni Patel, Nov. 29, 2012