DETROIT, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent headlines about the horrors of toys imported from China containing toxins such as lead paint and the "date-rape" drug are creating a very cautious toy-buying holiday season. How did this happen? What do we do now?
"It's not so much where toys are made as what the testing standards are," says Merrilee Anderson, an Educational Consultant for Discovery Toys. "My generation grew up fighting imaginary wars with our lead soldiers in our asbestos-rich sandbox while the mosquito truck was spraying our neighborhood with DDT. We all want to be safe, and always have.
"Little by little, we are all becoming more educated and savvy consumers. Unfortunately, many of us have taught our children that quality is not as important as quantity, surrounding the Christmas tree with mountains of toys to prove to our children that we do pay attention to them. This indulgence has caused a huge imported toy industry, with fewer and fewer safety standards being enforced," says Anderson.
Toy Safety is the practice of ensuring that toys meet set safety standards. In many countries, toys must be able to pass safety tests in order to be sold. In the U.S., some toys must meet national standards, while other toys may not have to meet a defined safety standard. Anderson, a former Kindergarten teacher, author, and mother of three explains that "With the exception of flammability, lead paint and choking hazards, these standards are largely recommendations. Such testing is voluntary and costly."
Few toy manufacturers are diligent about voluntary testing. "Discovery Toys, in business for nearly thirty years, has been testing all products for flammability, hazardous materials and toxic elements - including lead, by an independent HOKLAS* certified laboratory prior to shipment from domestic and foreign manufacturers. Our products not only meet, but exceed all standards set by the US and Canadian governments regarding safety. an ongoing effort to ensure the quality and safety of our products, we regularly review the labor practices, raw materials and manufacturing processes used by our vendors," states Anderson. "That's good to know, but we need to take it one step further and do our own detective work."
For the Ten Important Things to Consider Before Buying a Toy, Visit http://www.discoverytoysshop.com/.
Good toys, books and games, carefully selected, can enhance and direct a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. With a little care and information, there are many wonderful and safe choices to make for our children.
For More Information or to order toys visit: http://www.discoverytoysshop.com/
Merrilee Anderson
Discovery Toys, Inc.
*HOKLAS is an independent accreditation service for safety compliance- testing laboratories.
Discovery Toys
