Are Your Kids Toys Safe?

The U.S. PIRG Education Fund has released its 30th annual survey of toy safety this year, called “Trouble in Toyland”. The report details the continued presence of unsafe toys in the marketplace as well as what to look for in terms of potentially dangerous toys.

Hundreds of toys were examined by the researchers, who found some toys with chromium, phthalates, magnets, lead, excessive noise exposure, and choking hazards such as small pieces and balloons. The list isn’t exclusive, providing examples of toys that you should avoid while you are shopping for your children.

Toys in general are getting safer. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is authorized to protect children from unsafe products. However, the report urges parents to be vigilant and to not assume that toys are safe simply because they are being sold on the store shelves. There were numerous examples of products in their search that could cause serious injury in children.

The report found specific examples of toys with high levels of toxic substances on the shelves, in excess of the amount permitted by federal law. The researchers found inadequate warning labels that did not meet U.S. standards on several toys, including one specifically mentioned which could pose a choking hazard in children under three because of the risk that the small parts break off. The report also pointed out a number of toys that were within federal limits for the production of noise, but nevertheless could be potentially harmful to the hearing of children.

The complete report is available at http://www.uspirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/USP%20Toyland%20Report%20Nov15%201.3%20%281%29%20FINAL%20FINAL.pdf. If a member of your family is injured by a toy that does not meet federal standards or has an inadequate warning label, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact one of our personal injury attorneys at (215) 545-8800 or fill out our contact form.