Consumer: I keep reading headlines about lead in children’s toys and product recalls. How do I know if a toy or baby item is safe?
Attorney General Rob McKenna: It was big news when manufacturers recently recalled millions of toys because of toxic lead paint. But we don’t hear about most of the 400 products recalled each year, which may explain why few are returned to the manufacturer. Fortunately, government agencies make it easy for you to learn about recalls as soon as they are announced.
Learn about recalls: Your one-stop source for recall information is www.recalls.gov. The Web site provides links to federal agencies that regulate recalls. You can find information about children’s and household products, cars, food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and environmental products such as pesticides that have been recalled.
These agencies provide searchable databases and you can sign up to receive e-mail alerts:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, http://www.cpsc.gov, provides information about recalls on toys, baby items, appliances, furniture, sports equipment, electronics and just about everything else that you don’t eat or drive. The CPSC lists produce recalls since 1973. Join the recall notification list to receive alerts by e-mail. Or subscribe to RSS feeds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov, covers child safety seats since 1990, cars and tires. While the agency doesn’t e-mail alerts, you can search its database at www.safercar.gov. The Food and Drug Administration, http://www.fda.gov, has jurisdiction over pet food, cosmetics and medical devices, and shares responsibility for food safety with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You can sign up to receive FDA recall alerts by e-mail or RSS or just search the database.
Use caution when shopping for secondhand products: While officials at the Consumer Product Safety Commission say they do a good job of removing dangerous products from store shelves, many recalled items remain in homes. Consumers also need to be careful when buying used goods since recalled products are frequently resold at yard sales, thrift stores and online auction sites, despite policies that prohibit such items from being listed. Children’s items make up the majority of recalls, so you really need to check the CPSC recall list. Here are some additional tips to help you make safer purchases:
Cribs: Make sure cribs meet current national safety standards. Look for a certification seal. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and mattresses should fit snugly.
Playpens: Recalled products include play yards with protruding hardware or rotating top rails that don't properly lock into place.
Safety Gates: Don’t buy older accordion-style child safety gates; they present a strangulation hazard.
Car Seat Carriers and Bike Helmets: Many experts say it’s best to buy these items new, since they’re only intended to survive one crash and damage may not be visible. At a minimum, check to make sure carriers and helmets haven’t been recalled. Helmets should have a sticker inside showing they meet the CPSC bicycle helmet standard.
Return recalled products: If you own a recalled product, you should return it to the manufacturer or store where you purchased the item.
No doubt some busy consumers decide it’s easier to simply toss a dangerous item in the trash instead of bothering to fill out paperwork to receive a replacement, repair kit or refund. But that only creates more problems by making it difficult to track the location of potentially dangerous items and monitor the effectiveness of recalls. Plus, playthings that contain high levels of lead aren’t just dangerous for people; they're also bad for the environment.
With all the recent recall announcements, volunteer staff at nonprofit thrift stores are having a difficult time sorting through donations. Do them a favor: check the CPSC recall list to see if toys you plan to donate are subject to a recall. If they aren’t safe, don’t give them away.
Pass along safety information: Let’s say that you want to sell or give away a baby crib, for example, that’s NOT the model covered by a recall. Let buyers and thrift store volunteers know the crib is OK by attaching information about the recall and a note explaining why your product is different.
Choose age-appropriate toys: Toys that haven’t been recalled can also be dangerous if they’re given to a child who is too young. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations. The CPSC publishes guides to help you select age-appropriate toys for kids up to 5, and ages 6-12.
Attorney General Rob McKenna offers this public service to help consumers avoid fraud and to promote a fair and informed marketplace. If you have a consumer complaint or inquiry, contact the Consumer Protection Division atwww.atg.wa.govor 1-800-551-4636 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. To suggest a future topic for this column, send an e-mail toasktheag@atg.wa.govor write to “Ask the AG”, Attorney General’s Office, 800 5th Ave. Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104-3188. Receive Ask the AG columns by RSS and check out our All Consuming blog.