Welcome to CPSC’s Podcast for Friday, August 17, 2007. I’m Patty Davis.

[Patty:] This week, CPSC announced the recalls of more than 9 million Mattel toys including various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets, Barbie and Tanner play sets, Batman and One Piece Magnetic Action figure sets, and Doggie Day Care Magnetic toys.

As you probably guessed, the hazard is that small, powerful magnets inside the toys can fall out.

CPSC’s Julie Vallese is joining me to talk about the recalls. Welcome Julie.

[Julie:] Thanks Patty.

[Patty:] The largest recall involved 7.3 million Polly Pockets with magnets. And that was an expansion of a recall from late last year. What’s the problem if these magnets fall out?

[Julie:] The problem exists if more than one magnet falls out and if a child ingests them. Then it can cause very serious injuries to children.

[Patty:] Have there been any injuries with these recalled toys? Julie: With these recalled toys, no. In the past, in an earlier recall with Polly Pockets there were three injuries. But with these, there have been no injuries.

[Patty:] What should parents do if they have any of these recalled toys?

[Julie:] First and foremost parents should take these toys away from their children, and then they should check and see if they in fact do have a recalled toy and if they do, contact Mattel for information on what they should do with the toy.

[Patty:] CPSC announced a warning earlier this year about magnets in toys? In general, what should parents do about toys with magnets – even if those toys are not recalled?

[Julie:] Parents need to understand whether or not they have any toys in their home with magnets. Take a look. See. These magnets are very small. If you do have them, assess whether or not your child is the kind or type that may put them in their mouth, and each and every time a child plays with these toys inspect them. If there are any magnets missing, locate those missing magnets and throw those magnets away.

[Patty:] There was another Mattel recall announced this week – and that was for the “Sarge” die cast toy car due to lead in the paint on the toy. Isn’t lead banned in paint in the United States?

[Julie:] Lead paint has been banned in the United States for more than three decades. We take lead paint and the violation of bringing it into this country extremely seriously and the CPSC will speak loudly and act very swiftly if we find products that have this banned hazardous substance.

[Patty:] As evidenced by this recall. So what should parents do if they have the toy?

[Julie:] Take it away from their child. Contact Mattel. And Mattel will instruct them on ways to get a free replacement toy.

[Patty:] There’s been concern expressed lately about a number of recalls in products that bear the “Made in China” label. Should consumers be concerned about the safety of products made in China?

[Julie:] No. Not at this time. “Made in China” isn’t one of the warning labels that are showing up on toys around this country. And frankly parents don’t need to get rid of the toy box and replace it with a potted plant. Toys in this country are the most regulated product under the CPSC’s jurisdiction. Overall they are safe. It doesn’t mean that they won’t be recalled. But parents need to respond to recalled toys. That’s where the hazard exists.

[Patty:] And we would urge consumers to sign up for our recall announcements. You can get them directly to your inbox by going to www.cpsc.gov and giving us your email address and telling us what category of recalls you would like to receive. Thanks a lot Julie.

[Julie:] Thanks Patty.

[Patty:] You can find out more about these and other recalls on our Web site as I mentioned www.cpsc.gov.That’s it for this week’s podcast. Thanks for tuning in.

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