CPSC Launches Nationwide Toy Safety Campaign

The Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a nationwide toy safety campaign to get banned toys off toy shelves and to inform consumers about possible hazards associated with toys.

More than 150,000 different kinds of toys are sold in toy shops and toy departments across the country. The Federal Government has banned some 1,500 toys, but some these dangerous toys may still be found for sale. 

Each year, an estimated 132,000 toy-related injuries are serious enough to be treated in hospital emergency rooms.



Seventy to eighty percent of all toys are purchased during the months of October, November, and December, and the Commission will give priority attention to toy safety during the holiday season.



To assist consumers in identifying dangerous toys and to encourage the purchase of safe toys, the Commission has designated toy safety coordinators in each of the Commission's 14 regional offices. The toy coordinator will be available to answer questions from consumers and businessmen and to speak before community organizations concerned about toy safety.



Radio and television public service announcements in both English and Spanish and posters in U.S. Post Offices will be used to inform the public about dangers present in some toys. A color and sound film, "Can You Pass the Toy Safety Test," will be available to local groups through CPSC regional offices. Copies of a leaflet, "Toy Safety: Always in Season," and the CPSC Banned Products List are available from regional offices and the Commission's Washington headquarters at no cost.



The Consumer Product Safety Commission, under the authority of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, can ban certain categories of dangerous toys. On October 1, CPSC regional inspectors began a nationwide preholiday inspection program to insure compliance with the Banned Products List.



Their efforts will be augmented by Consumer Deputies, volunteers from local consumer organizations. Armed with copies of the CPSC Banned Products List, these volunteers will survey retail stores and toy departments to make sure retailers are not selling hazardous products.



Last year, about 134 volunteers participated in pilot Consumer Deputy Programs in Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.



Federal regulations can only supplement careful buying, proper use, and parental supervision. The Commission a urges toy safety awareness for everyone and recommends that consumers:

 

- Think about safety when buying toys;

- Realize that many children are injured by toys that are too complex for their age and abilities;

- Avoid toys that have sharp points and edges, wires, pinchers, loose or small parts, loud noises, glass or brittle plastic, and unsafe heating elements;

- Read labels and instructions and teach children to use toys properly;

- Supervise young children at all times.