SafeChild.Net Launches Toy Recall Databaase for Holiday Shoppers

December 10, 2002--SafeChild.net, the most comprehensive unbiased child safety site on the Web (http://www.safechild.net), is unveiling today the ‘SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database,’ a major new Web-based tool that parents and grandparents can use during the 2002 holiday season and beyond to avoid buying dangerous toys for youngsters. A project of the Consumer Federation of America Foundation (CFAF), the SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database is available at http://www.SafeChild.net/ToyRecallDatabase.

Unlike the much more limited database on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Web site, the SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database allows the user to conduct almost any type of search of 350 major toy recalls by the CPSC and/or toy manufacturers during the past 12 years. The SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database permits the user to search for recalls based on the age of the child for which a gift is being purchased, the type of hazard cited upon which the recall is based, the type of toy involved, the year of the recall and the manufacturer. In many cases, pictures of the toys in question are available as a guide to concerned parents, care providers and gift givers.

The creation of the SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database was sparked by the fact that the most popular feature of the SafeChild.net Web site has been information about recalls. With more than 9,000,000 hits to date - including 1,000,000 each in October and November - it became clear that parents are crying out for critical toy safety recall information. SafeChild.net's Toy Recall Database will dramatically increase the ability of consumers to use and act on this important data.

Consumer Federation of America spokesperson Jack Gillis said: "The purpose of SafeChild.net is to save children's lives and reduce childhood injuries. The objective of the SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database is simple: make toy recall information as 'parent friendly' as possible, so that searches can be conducted quickly, easily and logically by any parent. The result: a simple tool that can be used during the 2002 holiday season and beyond that can both spot and avoid potential problem toy purchases and also make sure that what is in your toy chest is safe."

SafeChild.net project manager Susan Winn said: "Unfortunately, too many parents believe that all toys on the market have been tested and are safe. This is not true. Toys are not tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and many are not tested by anyone besides the manufacturer unless there is a problem reported with the toy. Although there are standards for toy manufacturers, they often require only minimum levels of performance and fail to address all known hazards."

In addition to the search engine at http://www.SafeChild.net/ToyRecallDatabase, parents also will find a variety of critical and helpful tips on toy safety. Among the key points of advice highlighted by SafeChild.net are the following:

• CHECK AGE LABELS: Be sure that the toy is appropriate for the age of the child. Read toy labels. Remember that this is a minimum age recommendation and does not mean that every child that age is mature enough to use it. Parents must take into account the child's maturity and individual capabilities.



• AVOID CHOKING HAZARDS: For infants, toddlers and all children who still put objects in their mouths, avoid toys with small parts that could pose a fatal choking hazard. Make sure that rattles, balls and blocks are at least 1.75 inches and will NOT fit through a toilet paper roll.



• EXAMINE TOYS: Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, nose and other potential small parts and well-sewn seams on stuffed animals and cloth dolls. Be sure that eyes, noses, ribbons, buttons and other decorative items can't break or be pulled off. For all children under eight, avoid toys with sharp edges and points. Avoid toys that make loud noises, such as cap guns, as they can damage a child's hearing. Strings and ribbons on toys should be no longer than six inches to prevent strangulation.



• KEEP PLAYTIME SAFE. Supervise your children while they are playing. Avoid objects that can be shot or propelled. Do not let your child put caps in his pockets. Friction can ignite the caps and cause burns. Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately, before they become deadly playthings. Never let your child play with uninflated balloons or balloon parts.

For additional toy safety tips, go to http://www.safechild.net/for_parents/toys.html.