More than 2 million dangerous toys were stopped at ports and kept from ending up on store shelves due to joint action by CPSC and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2012. In the past four years, since increased authority and funding was provided by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), CPSC has stopped more than 2,400 dangerous or violative toys and children’s products – 8.5 million units.
“Proactive port surveillance, strong toy standards, and educational efforts create a safer holiday toy shopping experience for consumers by keeping dangerous products off store shelves,” said Chairman Tenenbaum in a statement.
CPSC also released their annual report (PDF) on toy injuries and deaths. The report shows 262,300 emergency room visits in 2011 involving children under 15 and toys. 92,200 were for children under five. Balloons were the single item involved in most deaths (3). CPSC has reports of 13 deaths in 2011. It should be noted that because of reporting problems, CPSC gets very late notice of deaths and those numbers rise even years later.
CPSC warns against balloons, small balls and other choking hazards for young children when selecting toys. Other tips are to always include a helmet in any gift of a bicycle or other wheeled toy and keep high powered magnets away from children. Check out KID’s Safe Holiday Shopping Guide as well.
