Dealing with Recalled Toys

A number of toy recalls lately have many parents worried about the safety of child products and toys. Literally millions of toys have been recalled in the past year because they pose a danger to children due to unsafe materials and flaws in the manufacturing or design techniques. There are several things that parents can do, though, to keep their children safe:

1. Stay alert to toy recalls. The government website for recalls -- http://www.recalls.gov -- lists current recalls and the media tends to report on recalls as well. Check these sources of information often and return or discard any items that have been affected by a recall.
   
   
2. Shop smart. Check items and toys carefully before buying. If possible, buy products made locally and products made by manufacturers you can speak with. In many cases, local manufacturers must follow strict laws about manufacturing conditions and may feel more responsible for the quality of their products. Importers may care about quality, too, but they have a harder time seeing exactly what is happening at every step of the manufacturing process. When buying, also use common sense to spot potential dangers. If you notice that a toy is made poorly and may fall apart, do not buy it. Stay alert to sharp edges and small components that may break off and pose a chocking hazard.
   
   
3. Don’t forget to look at gifts and toys bought years ago. Many parents are checking toy recalls now, but that gift received last year may have been recalled months ago – before all the media frenzy.
   
   
4. Register new products and toys, where possible. The small registration cards that come with many products let manufacturers know where to find you. In many cases involving children’s toys, manufacturers will contact everyone who has registered as owning a specific product. This can be an easy way to learn about products that may be affected by recalls.
   
   
5. Realize that dangers are not always where they appear. Many parents today are worried about lead paint in toys and are avoiding buying any products that say “Made in China.” Avoiding danger is not always so simple. Many products made or assembled domestically may still be made from products made overseas. You need to ask the manufacturer to explain the whole design and manufacture process to be sure. Also, many consumer experts are now warning parents that choking hazards are still the most prevalent danger for children’s toys and products.