Trouble in Toyland: What Every Parent Should
Know
Rep. Lloyd Doggett
If you have seen a child enthusiastically unwrap birthday or holiday
gifts, then you know what pure delight looks like. Of the many joys that
come with the season, few things match the smile on the face of a child
with a new toy. Toys are meant to entertain, educate, and inspire the
imagination. As a father of two grown daughters, I had been out of the
market for toys for over a decade. But with two small granddaughters,
including a newborn, I am headed to the toy store once again. Parents
browsing for the perfect toy, however, should remain vigilant about
hidden hazards posed by toys. As recent headlines have shown, not all
toys are safe. In fact, some toys can seriously injure children.
Trouble in Toyland
The protection of our children requires awareness and
information. Fortunately, parents have an important source of support to
turn to. The
22nd
annual TexPIRG Trouble in Toyland report, offers safety guidelines
for purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys
currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards. TexPIRG’s
research focused on four categories of toy dangers: toys that contain
lead and toxic chemicals, toys that pose choking hazards, toys that are
dangerously loud, and toys that pose strangulation risks. It should be
noted that the toy list in the TexPIRG report is only a sampling of the
potential hazards on store shelves. Shoppers should examine all toys
carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase this season.
Congress Must Hold Dangerous Toymakers Accountable
I am a sponsor of the Safety Assurance for Every (SAFE) Consumer
Product Act. This legislation would ban lead in children’s products and
require independent third-party testing on children’s products before
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certifies that products
are safe. The bill strengthens the authority of CPSC to order recalls of
hazardous toys, and increases the civil and criminal penalties for
corporations that knowingly put hazardous products on the market.
Parents Have the Most Important Role
As important as it is for the government to play a role, there is no
substitute for a parent’s care. It is important to consider the youngest
and most vulnerable member of family when buying gifts. While a doll may
be fine for an eight year old, small parts could be a choking hazard for
her baby sister. Be particularly cautious about purchase of older toys
at flea markets or garage sales that may not meet current standards.
From my family to yours, I wish you a joyous holiday season.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett is a senior member of the House Ways and
Means Committee, the House Budget Committee and the Joint Economic
Committee.
