Toys that may be dangerous, listed on report

A shopping cart play set is among two dozen toys named as potential hazards for children in the latest edition of the annual Trouble in Toyland report. Photo courtesy of U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

SALT LAKE CITY – Before Utahns fill the stockings of loved ones this holiday season and place gifts under the tree, they may want to have a look at the latest edition of an annual report that lists <a href=”http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usf/trouble-toyland-2014″ target=”parent”>potentially dangerous toys</a> to watch out for on store shelves.

Pam Clough, campaign organizer with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), says they’ve issued their annual <a href=”http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usf/trouble-toyland-2014″ target=”parent”>Trouble in Toyland</a> report for 29 years, and more than 150 toys have either been recalled or taken off the market as a result.

“It is great to see that progress is being made,” she says. “But it’s evident that there are still dangerous toys on the shelves.”

Clough says the findings highlight the need for consumers to be proactive and “do their research” before buying, and examine items that have already been purchased for possible dangers.

The Toy Industry Association claims PIRG’s past unsafe-toy reports were based on improper testing methods not approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Among the 24 toys on this year’s list, Clough says her organization uncovered four main hazards: toxins, choking hazards, magnetic toys, and excessively noisy toys.

“We found toys that contained phthalates that are well over the legal limits,” she says. “For example, a Dora backpack was 20 percent phthalates, which is ridiculous.”

Clough says toxic chemicals found in toys, including lead and chromium, can have adverse health effects on a child’s development. She adds toy safety standards have improved with passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

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