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Checking toy safety? Phone as you shop

Last update: November 24, 2009 - 11:01 PM

Avoiding toys that can poison, choke and harm hearing just got easier with a new website and smart phone application.

Despite a new federal consumer safety law, hazardous toys are still on store shelves, according to the 24th "Trouble in Toyland" report published by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), a national watchdog organization. In an effort to put toy safety at the fingertips of consumers, the group launched an interactive tool accessible on smart phones and computers so consumers can check the safety of toys and report hazardous ones while they shop.

Visiting retailers in September and October, U.S. PIRG identified toys that posed choking hazards, exceeded recommended noise levels and contained lead and phthalates, a chemical that makes plastic more pliable and has been linked to birth defects by some scientists. The list includes a wooden barn shape sorter and a baby doll that could pose a risk for choking, a triceratops and a play phone that pose a noise hazard, a toy helmet with lead in it and an Elmo lunch bag that poses a danger because of phthalates.

According to the group's annual report, choking on small parts, small balls and balloons is the leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Noisy toys also may be to blame in part for hearing loss in children.

U.S. PIRG points out that the Consumer Product Safety Commission does not test all toys, leaving some on store shelves that don't meet commission safety standards, leaving it up to consumers to be vigilant.

For more recommendations, go to http://www.toysafety.mobi/. To read the full report, go to www.uspirg.org/issues/toy-safety.

MARY LYNN SMITH

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