Don't Play with Toy Safety: CPSC Tips for Safe Gifts

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the nation enters the busy holiday season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a reminder about toy safety. "Toy safety continues to be a top priority for CPSC, especially during this season of gift giving," says CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle.

NEW CPSC TOY REPORT

A new report released today by CPSC, estimates there were 174,100 toy-related emergency department-treated injuries and seven deaths in 2016 to children younger than 15. Riding toys, specifically non-motorized scooters, were the toy category associated with the most injuries and nearly half of toy-related deaths. All of the riding toy deaths were due to motor vehicle involvement. Most of the injuries involved cuts and bruises to the head and face.

CPSC AT THE PORTS

CPSC has the most stringent toy safety standards in the world and works hand in hand with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the nation's ports to stop dangerous toys from entering the U.S. In fiscal year 2017 there were more than 745,000 toys seized at the ports for violating toy standards.  Nearly 360,000 toys with lead were seized.  Because of the collaborative work with CBP, these violative products never made it onto store shelves and were kept out of consumers' homes.

RECALLS:

In fiscal year 2017 CPSC issued 28 toy recalls. Toys were recalled for defects including choking, mechanical hazards and fire hazards that can injure a child. Consumers should always check their homes and toy boxes for previously recalled toys.

AGE MATTERS:

CPSC, along with Kids In Danger and the Toy Association, is urging consumers to follow age recommendations on packaging.

"Safety is the toy industry's top priority every day of the year – while there are simple steps that parents and caregivers can also take to ensure that playtime is safe," says Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association.

"It is so important to have a strong agency such as CPSC working to keep dangerous toys off store shelves and online marketplaces," says Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of KID (Kids In Danger). "Families can help keep children safe by reporting safety incidents involving toys or other products at SaferProducts.gov and following developmental guidelines when purchasing toys." 

TAKING SAFETY TO THE SOURCE:

International collaboration is also key when it comes to toy safety. This week, Acting Chairman Buerkle is taking part in a toy safety training seminar with CPSC's counterpart agency—The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI).  "I want to make sure that international suppliers who make products for the U.S. market know our rules, understand our requirements, and put safety first.  By working together with industry to ensure safer products, the CPSC serves the best interest of U.S. consumers," said Acting Chairman Buerkle.

SAFETY TIPS FOR HOLIDAY GIFT BUYING:

• Check the label: Choose age appropriate toys by reading the age label on the toy. Children younger than 3 should not have access to toys with small parts, which can cause choking. Also avoid marbles and small balls for children under 3.
• Get safety gear. With scooters and other riding toys, supervision is key along with proper safety gear that includes helmets. Helmets should be worn properly at all times and they should be sized to fit. Avoid riding a scooter on a street or roadway with other motor vehicles.
• Hoverboards: Although not considered a toy, hoverboards should be compliant with UL 2272 safety standard. https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/hoverboards  
• Be careful with magnets: High powered magnet sets are dangerous and should be kept away from children under 14. Building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.

GIVE THE GIFT OF SAFETY THIS SEASON, CHOOSE TOYS FOR KIDS WISELY.

Video: CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle – Give The Gift Of Safety

For more information on toy safety click here.

For more information on recalls check here.

Also check out our OnSafety blog.

About U.S. CPSC:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact
Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: 301-504-7908
Spanish: 301-504-7800

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Links

http://www.cpsc.gov