Ten Myths of Toy Recall

Do you remember the mass toy recall in 2007? The recalls still continue today, with less publication.

Claire Johnson wrote a knol about toy recall myths that leave parents unaware and misinformed.

Claire reported in her knol:

Parents might remember the year 2007 as “the year of” the toy recall, when the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (“CPSC”) issued an unprecedented 81 toy recalls. While a few recalls affected many familiar toys, gaining national media attention, the media’s attention in 2008 towards this subject has waned. Yet, the frequency of toy recalls continues unabated. As of July 2008, there were 41 toy recalls, which puts 2008 on pace to surpass the record number of toy recalls issued in 2007.

Although the media coverage on toy recall is almost non-existent today, parents must stay aware of toys that are dangerous for their children.

To keep parents aware, here are 10 myths Claire listed about toy recall:

1. Parents will hear about all toy recalls on the nightly news: Not true – less coverage doesn’t means nothing is going on.
2. 2007 was the first year for toy recalls: Not true – Since 2000, CPSC averages 33 toy recalls per year.
3. Only toys made in China are recalled: Not true – In 2007, some Mexico and US manufactured toys also were recalled.
4. Only parents of preschool children need to worry about toy recalls: Not true – Some older children’s toys are also having questionable safety features.
5. Toys from upscale stores are safe from recall: Not true – Toys were recalled from ToysRUs, Gymboree and others in 2007.
6. Once a toy has been recalled it is automatically pulled from the shelf: Not true – Recalls are voluntary, not mandatory, and retailers are not required to check their inventory for recalled products or remove them from store shelves.
7. Only “toxic” toys are recalled: Not true – While lead paint in toys made the headlines in 2007, they accounted for only 41 of the 81 recalls, which was for just 4 million of the over 27 million toys recalled.
8. Only toys available in toy stores are recalled: Not true – toys are also recalled in other stores selling or offering toys as a gift, such as Dunkin Donuts.
9. Once a threat is identified the toy is immediately recalled: Not true – Recalls have taken more than one year to be issued after a threat has been identified.
10. When a recall is issued, you will have the information necessary to know whether a toy was part of a recall: Not true – most parents did not know when the toy was purchased, where the toy was purchased, and the product or UPC number (located on the toy’s package) to determine whether the toy was part of a recall.

Be aware of your children’s toy safety constantly, and seek the right resources to learn all about toy safety, starting from this knol.

Image by Wirefly.