Consumer group releases report on toy safety

One Arizona consumer group has released its 24th-annual toy safety survey in an effort to "protect America's littlest consumers," said a representative.

The Arizona Public Interest Research Group, a non-partisan consumer group, released its "Trouble in Toyland" report Tuesday, and stopped by the Yuma Sun to talk about toy safety.

Three of the biggest dangers, said Public Interest Associate Jesse Victor, are toys that are too loud, a choking hazard and toys that could cause potentially harmful side affects, when exposed to hazards such as lead and/or phthalates.

According to the report, the regulatory agency, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) does not test all toys, and not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC standards.

When choosing a toy that makes noise, the threshold for most toys is 85 decibels, and not intended for use close to the ear, according to the report.

"Almost 15 percent of children ages 6 to 17 years old show signs of hearing loss," Victor said.

Parents should also be careful when choosing toys with movable parts or anything that can potentially break off.

Victor said any toy with small parts may be a choking hazard.

Victor used a toilet paper roll as an example, saying their recommendation is if the part or toy can fit in there, then it's too small for small children.

An unseen hazard can be chemicals and elements that can harm children when they're exposed to them.

Victor had with him an example of one small purse that looks normal, but it's one of two toys that, according to the report, in laboratory testing showed to contain levels of phthlates that exceed limits allowed by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, passed in August 2008.

According to the report, there is no comprehensive list of potentially hazardous toys, but parents should examine toys carefully for potential dangers before they make a purchase.

"Toys should be for pleasure and enjoyment; not pain," Victor said.

For more information, visit www.cpsc.gov.

And parents who want to check out various toys this holiday season can visit the group's Web site at www.arizonapirg.org or while on the go, with their cell phone at www.toysafety.mobi.