Comments on: 10 Tips for Avoiding Recalled Toys

By: Toy toys

Toy toys — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:23:31 +0000

Nice tips. I can't believe that there are some people selling recalled toys

By: daddy-o

daddy-o — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:48:36 +0000

Technically, these Toy Trains were not recalled because they had small parts – any toy intended for ages 4 & up can have small parts as long as the package shows a small parts warning. The CPSC decreed they be recalled because -in their myopic, bureaucratic opinion- these toys could appeal to ages 3 & under, which are -not- allowed to have small parts. Never mind that the packaging clearly informs the consumer the toy is intended for children 4 and older and had the required small parts warning. Ironically, the real reason these toys were recalled might have been because as you say, they were so cute, in this case maybe too cute and preschool-looking for their own good…

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:36:38 +0000

It’s amazing how many unsafe toys there are out there now. I can’t believe that store had those toys on the shelf like that. It just goes to show that too few people have pride in their jobs now days, as that sales clerk didn’t sound like they cared at all. It really angers me.

By: mcmilker

mcmilker — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:34:45 +0000

LOL – great post Lynn,

I’ll start sending you my hand me downs!

But now…I’m irate too and did send out a tweet.

My son just received a big box of Tinker Toys…all garishly colored plastic! Since when are Tinker Toys plastic? The box was so similar to the traditional plastic – even said, “Classic” that the gift giver was as surprised as I was!

I’m annoyed and received little help from customer service-

My Tweet – “Bait and Switch TinkerToys…Grrrr

By: Herbs Medicine » Blog Archive » BLOG Not Going to Happen: Part Two

Herbs Medicine » Blog Archive » BLOG Not Going to Happen: Part Two — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:23:32 +0000

[...] 10 Tips for Avoiding Recalled Toys Do you see what’s on that paper lying next to those cute toy trains? A recall notice for those very same trains. Those My Little Train Toy Classics were so darn cute that I picked one up to admire it. And it was cheap too less than $2. But those cheap toys [...] Natural Life Recent Additions [...]

By: Steph @ Greening Families

Steph @ Greening Families — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:42:01 +0000

Thanks for compiling all these suggestions into one article. It is so hectic this time of year that it is easy to forget some of these options!

We sidestep this issue a bit by giving things other than toys as presents. Books are always in the mix and this year we started giving experiences as well. For example, our daughters get to pick an activity as one of their presents this Christmas. They are having so much fun debating the pros and cons of the choices that I wish we would have done this earlier!

By: Mindful Momma

Mindful Momma — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:38:20 +0000

Great tips Lynn! I’d add one thing – avoid the Dollar Store at all costs – I just don’t trust them anymore.

By: Muthering Heights

Muthering Heights — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:10:02 +0000

I can’t believe that!!!

I know – isn’t it incredible? I’m still shaking my head. — Lynn

By: JessT

JessT — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:56:29 +0000

You pretty much covered the gambit, Lynn and Jennifer! I was so excited to see that HealthyToys.org just came out with a new set of results before the holidays.

Other ideas: shop small indy retailers for wooden/natural toys — one Etsy shop I love is Little Alouette (they have wooden teethers and blocks and such). Etsy even has a geography feature so you can shop local! Or, if you have been smart and rotating your toys out of eye’s reach (like a couple months ago – 3-4 months is enough for a toy to become new again), bring them back into play around the holidays cause they will be newly fun for your little ones (and give fewer new toys). Then there is also the option of making your own. I’ve got a couple projects up my sleeve for my kids (I want to make a felt board with moveable figures, for starters).

Hear, hear on the hand-me downs! Of course, with hand-me-downs and 2nd hand, I do worry *more* about recalls (which is why yr tip to seek out wooden toys is right on the mark).

Jess, great tips!! And you are so much more of a hands-on crafty type person that I am, so I can only imagine what you will come up with! I bet there are a lot more tips out there we’ll get from commenters…I know “swap meets” are becoming popular again…get together with some friends and swap things out. The sad thing is, you can’t even trust all the wooden toys. Who can forget the Thomas recall? I made a big show of lamenting the fact that James the Red Engine was missing because he had lead in his paint when Min Sook was filming Baby Boo and me for her “Toxic Babies” documentary. And you know? I still haven’t replaced that darn James engine and that’s just the one Boo wants…so do I spend another $20 for a new engine? Grr…I know they replaced them for free, but I think DH chucked James before I could mail him back. — Arggh…just what I want to waste my time on! — Lynn

By: Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama

Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:49:13 +0000

Another resource is healthytoys.org. The organization tests toys with the same analyzer I use – it can give you an idea of whether a toy is safe. Of course, keep in mind that the site can only tell you if the particular toy it tested is safe – it may or may not be true of other production runs of the same toy.

When shopping for toys, stay away from vinyl (aka PVC or polyvinyl chloride plastic). Vinyl usually contains hormone disrupting phthalates and must be stabilized. The stabilizer is usually lead, cadmium or organotin – all of which have adverse health effects associated with them.

Jennifer
http://www.thesmartmama.com

Thanks, Jennifer, for pointing this out! Yes, I neglected to include healthytoys.org – a great resource which I’ve blogged about before. So we now have 12 tips for avoiding recalls! — Lynn