In the past 10 years, millions of toys have been recalled because of cadmium content, strings, or other problems. Just because a toy has been recalled doesn’t inevitably mean it won’t ever be sold or resold later, so it is up to the parent to make certain that the toys your child has access to are not dangerous. For example, the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a toy that requires supervision, but not one that will be recalled due to the contents. In the following paragraphs are some tips for figuring out which toys are risk-free to play with, and which products are not.
A practical first step when you are meaning to acquire or have been given a new toy is to look at the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Website. While on that site, you will be able to examine the list for any particular toy and also sign up for free email messages regarding toy recalls. If you discover that you currently have a toy that turns out to be on the list, remove the toy from your child’s room immediately. The manufacturer commonly has a web page or phone number you can access for information having to do with refunds or replacements. These programs are typically valid for many years in the aftermath of the recall, and manufacturers almost never need receipts or packaging as evidence of your purchase.
While this article is not intended to reinforce any stereotypes, it must be acknowledged that several toys fabricated overseas have been recalled lately. That is why more parents are buying toys that are made in the USA like the Step2 Clubhouse Climber. The mere situation of a toy being made overseas is clearly not sufficient to imply that it is dangerous, however these toys could benefit from extra scrutiny.
Buying resale toys at garage sales is not suggested. If you buy a pre-owned toy which had been recalled several years ago, the stipulations of that recall aren’t likely to be in place, and you might simply need to throw the toy away. Sometimes old toys are purchased which have been discontinued in the last fifteen years, however if created today would be subjected to a recall. These toys could be tricky, since they might include dangers like loose parts or lead paint which the buyer may not know about.
With all of these ideas in mind, consider cautiously before putting your old toys into a tag sale. If those toys are 10 years old or more, verify first to learn if they have been recalled. The manufacturer’s website will often have this information, although the CPSC could be a more comprehensive one-stop source. Even if the used toys weren’t recalled, examine them for damaged parts previous to offering them to a thrift shop. Buttons and strings may be challenging, as are ragged edges and any variety of flaking paint.
One of the major tasks of parenting is ensuring our children are safe. For example, it is not enough just to buy toys made in the USA like the Step2 Clubhouse Climber, but parental supervision is the key. Making sure that the toys you acquire or sell meet today’s safety specifications is one of the simplest ways to achieve this task.
