One more thing to pass on to the shopper in your family: If you’re buying toys this year be sure to check them out for yourself.
While “toys are safer than ever before,” according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, parents can still find too many toys for youngsters with small parts and no choke-hazard warning on the box. Even if a toy is labeled, don’t assume it meets your high standards. Some manufacturers are over-labeling toys, which could cause some parents not to take the warnings seriously.
The research group’s Web site offers other tips for protecting children, including watching out for toys with possible strangulation hazards, toxic toys and loud toys that can cause hearing loss. This year’s Trouble in Toyland list of warnings may be longer than Santa’s, but it will be worth the read if it saves a child’s life.
To check it out for yourself, go to www.toysafety.net.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.
