CPSC and Kmart Team Up to Provide Gift Givers With Toy Safety Shopping Tips

Shopping for toys during the holidays can be exciting and fun, but it also can be frustrating. With thousands of toys to choose from, it's important to choose the right toy for the right age child.

At a press conference today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that in 1996, toy-related injuries led to 13 deaths and more than 140,000 hospital emergency room visits nationwide. "These deaths were not only a tragedy, they also were preventable," cautioned CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "It's important for shoppers to take the time to read age-appropriate labels when choosing toys. This information can save a child's life."

To help keep kids safe, and to make holiday shopping a little easier, CPSC and Kmart have unveiled the free, new pamphlet, "Toy Safety Shopping Tips". Kmart is distributing over 2 million copies of this pamphlet to its stores nationwide. "The best toy is a safe toy. That is why Kmart is proud to join CPSC in this informational effort to reach 2 million shoppers nationwide, so they may have a happy and safe holiday," said Shawn Kahle, Kmart Vice President, Corporate Affairs. The pamphlet provides the following helpful advice when shopping for toys for kids from infants to age 12.

-- Under 3 Years Old:

    - Children under 3 tend to put everything in their mouths. Avoid buying toys intended for older children, which may have small parts that pose a choking danger.

    - Never let children of any age play with uninflated or broken balloons because of the choking danger.

    - Avoid marbles, balls and games with balls that have a diameter of 1.75 inches or less. These products also pose a choking hazard to young children.

    - Children at this age pull, prod and twist toys. Look for toys that are well-made with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.

    - Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

-- Ages 3 Through 5:

    - Avoid toys that are constructed with thin, brittle plastic that might easily break into small pieces or leave jagged edges.

    - Look for household art materials, including crayons and paint sets, marked with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.

    - Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

-- Ages 6 Through 12:

    - For all children, adults should check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away.

    - If buying a toy gun, be sure the barrel, or the entire gun, is brightly colored so that it's not mistaken for a real gun.

    - If you buy a bicycle for any age child, buy a helmet too, and make sure the child wears it.

    - Teach all children to put toys away when they're finished playing so they don't trip over them or fall on them.

-- Read the Label. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards and to label certain toys that could be a hazard for younger children. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide. Labels on toys that state "not recommended for children under three ... contains small parts," are labeled that way because they may pose a choking hazard to children under three. Toys should be developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child.