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| Vol. 22, No. 22 |
| December 1, 2000 |
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Retail Stores Swept for Recalled Toys The time from peeking at a carefully drawn up wish list to filling up a shopping bag is a short one, often crammed into hectic hours of scanning store shelves to find just the right item to make a child happy. The product safety division inspectors at the Texas Department of Health want those gift selections to not only fulfill the child's wish list, but be safe ones as well. Awareness is the key. To emphasize that awareness, TDH inspectors make the rounds of retail stores several days each fall looking for children's items that have been recalled. The 2000 Toy Sweep was set for four days - Nov. 16, 17, 20 and 21. Each inspector had a list of 10 children's items that have been listed as "recalled" since the first of the year by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. "The toy sweep is a reminder to both consumers and retailers that some items are not safe for children and have been recalled," said Charles Branton, director of the TDH Product Safety Division. "These recalled items should not be out on shelves for sale." This year the list included two items that are meant to ensure safety - bicycle helmets from Rand International and Cycle Express, Inc. Other items included Fisher-Price's Lift & Lock Swing and Get Up & Go Walkers; Kmart children's decorative lamps; Playskool Klackeroo toys; Galoob Toys, Inc.; Sky Dancers flying dolls; Today's Kids Music & Lights Kidaround Spinner; Playtex Classic Patterns Cherubs and Soft Comfort latex pacifiers; Shelcore Inc.'s Stand-Up `N Play Tables; and Playskool Busy Poppin' Pals toys. These items are 10 out of hundreds recalled annually, and TDH's product safety inspectors investigate problems and look out for potential dangers year round. "We check for dangerous children's products all the time," Branton said. CPSC sends its recall notices to major retail stores across the country and store managers are then instructed to remove these recalled items and return them to the manufacturer. Some stores also post notices to inform consumers who may have bought the item before the recall. "We do find items still for sale from time to time," Branton said. "The retailer may not have received the recall or the items may have been overlooked. Most retailers are happy to have our help getting unsafe items off the shelves." Even with toys manufactured correctly, problems may arise when a child is not the right age for the item. Labels help answer many questions about a toy's safety and suitability. "Consumers should take manufacturer recommendations seriously," Branton said. "If the label says the item is not recommended for a child under 3 years of age, then it isn't. It may have parts or strings that can choke or strangle a young child." A good toy should be:
Branton said to look for sturdy construction such as tightly secured eyes, noses, buttons and other small parts. Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately before they become deadly playthings. And always be sure a helmet and other protective gear is available along with a bicycle, tricycle, skates, skateboard or other sporting equipment. Be sure a helmet fits the child's head and that the child likes the design and will wear it. People who find what they believe are dangerous, defective or mislabeled toys may call the TDH Product Safety Division at (512) 834-6773. Information about toy and product hazards is available on the TDH Web site at http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/beh/ps. TDH, together with CPSC, also offers an extensive list of safety suggestions for gift giving on the same web site. - Texas Department of Health
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/12_01_00/page_10.html |