Internet isn’t subject to laws on toy safety, group advises
By Mike Benbow
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Holiday toy shoppers should pay special attention to their purchases this year, especially items bought over the Internet.
Unlike toy stores, Internet toy sellers aren’t required to post safety warnings, Cammie Croft, a member of the Washington Public Interest Research Group, said Tuesday.
Croft visited Another Best Child Care in Everett to discuss her organization’s 16th annual toy safety report.
While most toys on the shelves are safe, there are still toys out there that pose hazards to young children, especially toys that are very small or have detachable parts, she said.
"Tragically, children choke to death on toys and balls that are small enough to be put in the mouth and block the airway," Croft said.
Croft said six children in the state died last year after choking to death on toys. Balloons or balloon pieces, small toy parts or balls typically pose the biggest risk, she added.
She encouraged parents to look carefully at what they buy and to think about how their child plays with a toy.
She recommended parents take along the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper when they shop. Anything that fits inside is unsafe for children under 3, she said.
She urged parents of children who range widely in age to make sure the older ones don’t hand down inappropriate toys to younger siblings. "Make sure you remove small pieces from a toy before giving it to small children," she said.
Croft said people should also be avoid toys containing chemicals called phthalates that are added to polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic toys as a softener, saying they’ve been linked to liver and kidney damage and have been banned in some European countries for children under 3.
For the first time this year, the research group also warned about possible hearing loss dangers posed by some toys.
Citing a 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Croft said toys with sounds over 85 decibels can harm a child’s hearing, especially with repeated use.
There are no federal regulations for toy noise levels, but Croft said parents should use common sense.
"If a toy hurts your ears, don’t buy it for a child," Croft said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.