Have you been thinking about your kids' toys lately? Chances are, if you are a parent, you have been. The many recalls of products made in China have dominated the news recently. We have had problems with tires, toothpaste, pet food, and the latest: toys. (Correction: While researching this article, I stumbled across a recall on children's pajamas.) There is considerable speculation as to why and how this could have happened, and plenty of blame going around. However, that is not the major concern of most parents. Most of us just want to keep our children safe. For now, steering clear of purchasing products made in China, and the entire developing Pacific Rim is probably the safest route for the present time.
If you have been shopping recently, and looking at labels, you have probably come to the realization that buying items made in the U.S., toys in particular, is no easy task. I have just returned from one such trip to a toy store where I found some toys that are manufactured in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. I also learned that you cannot rely on a brand name to make your selections. For example, good old-fashioned Crayola crayons are made in the U.S.A. However, some other products distributed by the company are made in China. Another example is LEGO. Legos are made in Denmark and a few other European countries. But when I checked the Duplo Blocks, which are the larger blocks made for younger children, the packages indicated that some of them were made in China.
Reading labels can be confusing too. While looking for the words "made in" do not be distracted by the words "distributed by". These are two completely different things. The words "made in" are the words you are looking for. Another potentially confusing issue is packaging. A set of blocks called Mega Bloks are made in Canada. The bag they come in is made in China.
What can we do?
First, think about the obvious fact that most of the problems have been caused by children putting toys, or parts of toys, in their mouths. Keep in mind that any toy that poses a choking hazard is more lethal than anything. This remains the primary reason for toy recalls regardless where they are made. Be sure to follow the age guidelines printed on the package when choosing toys. I have had parents say to me that they don't pay much attention to the guidelines because their child is more advanced. That may be true intellectually, but the guidelines take physical development into consideration as well.
A simple way to test whether or not a toy and the parts of the toy can pose a choking hazard is to use an empty tube from a roll of toilet paper. If you can drop the piece into the tube, it is considered too small for children 3 years of age or younger. Inspect your child's toys frequently. Look for loose parts, sharp edges, and broken parts. Do not buy any toy that features magnetic parts. Swallowing magnets can result in serious injury. Also, look for labels that say PVC Free. This applies to baby toys, teething rings, and other things that may end up in baby's mouth.
Share your knowledge.
I have started a page on our website of featuring toys made in the U.S./Canada/Europe. And in the forum there is a special section for toys our readers recommend and those to avoid. Please add your knowledge by making a post. If you have made any toys of your own, please share here.
Start shopping now.
If you are concerned about these issues, the best recommendation I can make is to start shopping now. Even if you intend to order products on the internet, I have a feeling that supplies will run short very soon. Here are some names of some sites that sell American made toys, dolls and puzzles:
Vermont Teddy Bear
Whittle Short Line
Shop for America
Commissary Toys
Turner Toys
Consider toy alternatives.
Making your own toys is an avenue that some people are considering. A few books on the subject are on the website. Or, maybe something altogether different: a family vacation for example, or a party. The most important thing is that you think about it now so that you have time to prepare.
Consider a modified approach.
Some people would like to purchase certain toys because they are favorites and do not consider the problem to be that bad. My recommendation is that if you do decide to buy the toy(s), please do not buy anything that your child may put in their mouth. And, second, keep yourself informed. Pay attention to the latest news bulletins regarding recalls.
Ali's 2 sense... I know that some of you have been reading that if corporations try to pull out of China, or impose stricter regulations on the manufacturers, the Chinese have threatened to "dump" U.S. bonds and cause some sort of financial havoc here in the U.S. This response shows a blatant disregard for the safety and welfare of our children. That is completely unacceptable. They may as well be saying, "if you don't buy our poisoned toys, you will be sorry" -- What? I don't think so. Just remember -- you, the consumer, have the final say. Vote with your wallet.
Ali Rae is a writer and a teacher. She recently published her first book: How to Help Kids Learn to Read.
Her website How to Help Kids Read is dedicated to providing you with information about how to help your child. [http://howtohelpkidsread.com]
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