More Recalled Toys... Ugh!

Three years after the big lead toy debacle, and there is still no way to know whether the toys you are buying for your child contain toxic chemicals. This is ridiculous! The toys should be tested before they are put on store shelves instead of after a child gets sick!

FROM ABC: There is another warning tonight about products that could be a danger to your children. Once again, they come from China, this time in the form of jewelry made with a toxic metal. The government is investigating-- while stores-- including Walmart-- stop selling the suspect items.

They may look pretty.. but test results.. show certain pieces of children's jewelry.. contain alarming levels of the heavy metal cadmium. Ashland University Chemistry Professor Jeff Weidenhamer said, "Cadmium compared to lead is more toxic. It's a known carcinogen. It is highly toxic to adults and to children. There's recent research indicating that it affects the brain learning disabilities and loss of I.Q."

Some of the jewelry.. all made in China.. proved to be 80 to 90 per cent cadmium.. including best friends bracelets from claire's boutiques.. rudolph reindeer charms sold at a dollar store. and flip flop bracelets from wal-mart. Both Walmart and Claire's have pulled those items from shelves.

Weidenhamer said, "So it's a really significant toxin. It bio-accumulates in the body and it's a really nasty metal to put in jewelry." Experts say prices for cadmium have dropped.. making it a cheaper option in manufacturing.. not to mention.. using the heavy metal in children's jewelry is not * specifically* prohibited. China's product safety agency vows to examine the investigation's findings.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission is launching an investigation.. of its own.. and circulating this warning to asian manufacturers.
Inez Tenebaum chairman, consumer product safety commission "I would highly encourage all of you to ensure that toy manufacturers and children's product manufacturers in your country are not substituting cadmium, antimony, barium in place of lead." What can parents do? Take all cheap costume jewelry *away* from their children.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Easy to Read Toy Recall List

I had my co-anchor and my pregnant producer checking their cribs for a recalled serial number this week.

I got this news release about an easy to read product recall list. I didn't think much of it until I took a look at the site. It really is a quick way to see if you have anything that has been recalled lately. I saw these super cute cribs on the list that look just like the one for Tim's (my co-anchor) little girl. Sure enough, it was the same brand. However, he went home and discovered his crib is just fine! Then, my producer, who is 6 1/2 months pregnant, thought she saw her crib on the list. She went home and discovered her crib is not recalled either. Thank goodness!

The Illinois Attorney General created the easy to read "Most Wanted" guide. It shows pictures with descriptions of some of the major recalls this year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also has a recall list, but it is extensive and would take hours to click on each item to see the picture.

So here you go: Illinois Attorney General.gov

I hope you don't have anything on the list! Let me know if you do!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Magnet Toy Recall

I am at the point where I am going to ban all toys with little magnets. We don't have any yet, but if we get some as a gift, they are going back to the store.

Here's the latest magnet recall from CNN:

Toymaker Mega Brands is issuing a recall for some of its magnetic toys because of a choking hazard. Two-point-four million toys will be recalled.

The toys include MagnaMan, Magtastik and Magnetix Junior. A CPSC official tells parents what to do if they have purchased these toys. "This recall involves millions of toys with multiple tiny magnets. Parents should check homes for loose or missing magnets and return the toys to Mega Brands for a free replacement. The tiny magnets are smaller than a pea. If ingested serious intestinal injuries and possible death to children."

Mega Brands says there have been reports of 44 magnets coming loose. The CPSC says the magnet toys were sold in stores between January of 2005 to December of 2007. (Which stores?Target, Toys R' Us, Wal-mart, K-mart)

So what can happen if your child swallows one or more of these magnets? They can attach to each other and cause: intestinal perforation, infection or blockage. The damage done can lead to death.

For details, on the recall, or on how to return the toys and receive a free replacement, consumers can call 800-779-7122.

megabrands.com

cpsc.gov

Am I just paranoid or are all of you banning little magnet toys from your house too?

I know we have ran stories about kids dying when they ingested strong magnets. The magnets messed up the child's intestines. Scary!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Ty Refuses Lead Toy recall

Here's the latest from the Associated Press:

Ty Incorporated is refusing to pull a popular, but lead-tainted, doll from store shelves across the state. Illinois authorities thought they'd agreed with Ty to have the company voluntarily remove its Jammin' Jenna dolls from retail shelves because the toys contained high amounts of lead.

Westmont-based Ty is best known for its Beanie Babies. The company says it would no longer sell new versions of Jammin' Jenna to Illinois retailers. But the state says the company is refusing to recall dolls already in stores and some remain on store shelves.

Now the state is considering suing Ty to force the company to comply with state law. Representatives of Ty say it's not violating the law because federal rules have higher lead limits, and supersede the state provisions.

If you have one of these dolls and want more information, the Chicago Tribune has a lengthy article on the potential lawsuit.

Lead can be very dangerous to kids. Kids growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and central nervous system are more sensitive to the effects. If your child ingests a large amount of lead, it can harm their brain function, change their behavior, slow their growth and cause learning problems. Lead poisoning has also been associated with hearing problems and headaches.

If you are worried your child may have lead poisoning, you can have a simple blood test performed at your pediatrician's office or the public health department.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Dangerous Toys

Here's the latest story on dangerous toys you may have bought for the holidays. I added some helpful links.

A string of massive recalls have parents on high alert and now there are multiple lists out there warning parents about potentially hazardous toys this holiday season. If you're confused by this overload of toy safety information, you're not alone. CNN's Greg Hunter has more on the toy safety debacle.

Toys with things that pop out, powerful magnets that stick together and potentially harmful chemicals are just a few toys on store shelves that one non profit organization says parents should avoid buying.The Jack Sparrow Spinning Dagger is one.W.A.T.C.H.(World Against Toys that cause Harm) says it can cause eye injuries and the potential for blunt injuries. W.A.T.C.H. was founded by trial lawyers 35 years ago to warn parents about things like possible choking hazards.

If a toys fits through a toilet paper roll, it is too small for kids under two.

Mattel's "Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boat" It's the only toy on W.A.T.C.H.'S 10 worst toys list to be recalled and it was done by Mattel itself after,"an extensive investigation." Five other companies on W.A.T.C.H.'s list told CNN their products "meet federal safety standards."

W.A.T.C.H. isn't the only grouping checking safety. Linda Reinsten lost her husband to an asbestos related illness and founded the non profit Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.
It recently did testing on holiday toys and found asbestos dust on the C.S.I.
Fingerprint Kit.

The manufacturer, "Planet Toys" says "these kits do not contain asbestos."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says non government groups that put out independent warnings only confuse people. The watch dog groups insists parents need more safety information. The CPSC says it's supporting a plan by the toy association to create an independent third party certification system for toys. This plan is being considered now, but so far, there's no indication on when or if it will be implemented.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen