Toxic Toys Still on Shelves Despite New Toy Safety Act
December 8, 2008 by dungan
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
Scientific American has reported that toys containing toxic phthalates may still be on shelves in the United States because the federal government has yet to enforce the new Children’s Safety Product Act.
Toy Safety: Doing Your Own Checks
July 24, 2008 by ToyGuy
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
Nowadays toy safety is a greater concern than ever. After last years extensive recalls of toys manufactured in China, parents are doing everything they can to make sure that the toys the buy for their children are safe. But many consumers have little trust for the toy industry’s checks on itself, and are taking responsibility for checking the safety of their kids’ toys. Here are some of the most important things to look out for when investigating the safety of a toy.
- The toy should be both sanitary and washable—it’s amazing how quickly children’s toys can get dirty.
- Toys should be well constructed. Cheap toys can come apart, exposing dangerous parts like wires, springs, or sharp edges.
- Toys should not have no small parts that could come off and be swallowed or otherwise misused, and make sure the toy itself is large enough that it cannot be swallowed or put into the nose or ears.
- Every part of the toy, including all paint and decorations should be non-toxic.
- Look out for points that your child could fall on, or strings or cards that are long enough to choke.
- Stuffed toys should not be filled with potentially dangerous materials like small pellets.
- Toys made with cloth should carry the labels “flame resistant,” “flame retardant,” or “nonflammable.”
The Toy Industry’s Safety Certification Program
July 17, 2008 by ToyGuy
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
The Toy Industry Association, together with consumers, government, manufacturers, and retailers, have now unveiled plans for a new toy safety certification program in an attempt to enhance toy safety and restore consumer confidence. After last year’s record number of toy recalls, this new program would implement a comprehensive system or accreditation to ensure that toys sold in the United States adhere to federal and international safety standards.
The certification program would combine three main elements. First, all new toy designs would have to undergo a risk analysis to identify potential safety concerns as early as possible. Secondly, all toy manufacturers would have to undergo reviews of their factories to ensure good manufacturing practices. Lastly, samples of all toys would be taken to make sure that the toys meet industry and government standards for safety.
2008’s Biggest Toy Trends
The world is changing, and the world of toys is keeping pace! Toy manufacturers have their fingers on the pulse of society, and are catering to emerging interests and concerns. Here are some of the hottest and most exciting trends in toys:
- Toys Go Digital - Largely inspired by the incredible success of Ganz’s Webkinz, toy manufacturers are starting to build online worlds around the toys they sell in stores. Neopets rivals Webkinz in popularity, while even dolls such as Barbie and Bratz have created extensive websites to stimulate kids’ imaginations. With the advent of online toys, kids and parents are spending more time with their new friends! Read more
HABA and Product Safety
May 5, 2008 by dungan
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
Something a toy company must always balance is the value of the product versus the cost of production. Even with quality wood toys, safety and inspection have to be an integral part of the process. Because of rising demand for wood and labor, many makers of wood toys like HABA have found that some toys are too expensive to make at their headquarters.
We respect HABA for their transparency about which products are made overseas, as well as the care that goes into their inspection procedures no matter where they are made. This level of transparency is necessary these days when so many cheap toys are on the world market, only to be recalled later for atrocious omissions such as baby toys made with lead paint and other heavy metals.