Amid all the recent toy recalls, the Toy Industry Association, Inc., a trade group representing over 500 companies that are responsible for around 85% domestic toy sales, maintains that toys are for the most part quite safe. For good measure, the group is offering tips to help parents make better toy choices this holiday season.

Buy Smart:

• Check age grading and all toy packaging labels to make sure the toy is appropriate for your child
• Avoid toys with small parts for children under age 3 or children who mouth toys
• Look for toys with sturdy parts and tightly secured joints
• Shop at a reputable retailer, one you know and trust
• Inspect the condition of second-hand toys and make sure you have the original packaging and instructions
• Batteries in toys should be firmly attached and not accessible to children
• Listen to toys with noises before purchase to make sure it’s appropriate for your child

Read the Label:

• Labels and instructions on packaging can give excellent guidance for safe purchasing decisions

Organize and Supervise:

• Follow instructions for toy assembly and use
• Supervise children as they play
• Be a good role model and set an example for safe play
• Keep toys with small parts away from children under three and from children who tend to mouth objects
• Avoid all toys with sharp points or rough edges
• Keep toys in an easily accessible storage bin with a removable lid
• Repair or discard broken toys
• Teach older children to keep their toys away from younger siblings.
• Keep a separate toy chest for older children whose toys may contain small parts not suitable for their younger siblings.

Sign up for CPSC e-mail recall alerts.

You can find more resources on the association’s new site for parents.

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Consumers Union (which publishes Consumer Reports) is rolling out a toy safety advocacy project, titled Twelve Safe Days of Shopping, and they needs help. Sign up to receive a book of coupons to give to store personnel while you’re doing your holiday shopping. The coupons encourage stores to keep from stocking unsafe toys and to post recall notices.

They also need volunteers who will agree to hand out information and talk to local media representatives at large outreach events in Boston, NYC, Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Francisco.

If you can help, get in touch with the CU folks ASAP!

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And now for something completely different…our friends at the Sierra Club have their own take on the lead toy story, told by Spacey the Lead Elf:

The part about the single CPSC staffer who is in charge of testing toys for safety is hard to fathom, but apparently true.

Posted by MommaSteph.