Advocacy Group Release a Do Not Buy Toy List for Black Friday
The U.S Public Interest Research Group release annual report targeting toys deemed health hazards for small children.
As the Nation braces itself for Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, The U.S Public Interest Research Group has released its 2009 list of dangerous toys parents should avoid this gift-giving season.
In the 24th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report, the public advocacy group PIRG, divides toys into three categories; those it considers excessively loud, containing small parts that present choking hazards for small children, and toys containing toxic chemicals or lead.
The report lists 16 examples of toys either violating or coming uncomfortably close to reaching the bans thereby posing a threat to children as potential hazards. The FurReal Baby Bird from Hasbro was one of the toys cited that does not violate the letter of the law, however some parts "could block a child's airway given their shape and size." The FurReal Baby Bird includes a bottle that "barely passes the small parts test."
Hasbro responds the allegations are false claiming, "The FurReal Friends product does not contain small parts, is properly age graded for kids four and up, and the packaging contains the appropriate labeling," a spokeswoman told CNN.
Hasbro's Kota and Pals Stompers Triceratops came under fire as dangerously loud. Toys falling under this category present the risk of hearing loss by exceeding 85 decibels within 25 centimeters of the gadget. Hasbro said the triceratops "complies with all sound requirements."
In the third category, PIRG found several products containing lead or "potentially toxic chemicals." Pretty Princess Puppy Purse and the Elmo Lunch Bag both contained the chemical phthalates, considered to be potentially toxic. Although not toys, the merchandise is targeted to young children and has been removed from the shelves by the retailer.
The toy industry believes they have set their own high safety standards and don't see the necessity for all the categories. Jonathan Samet, publisher of thetoyinsider.com isn't as concerned by noise levels as he is by choking or lead.
"Choking is obviously the biggest issue," he told CNN. "Right now, I think safety testing is at its highest level that it's probably ever been. Joan Lawrence, vice president of safety standards for the Toy Industry Association agrees, "Protecting children will always be the toy industry's highest priority. Consumers have every reason to trust the safety of the three billion toys sold in America each year."
