It’s not all fun and games when it comes to children’s toys, as the annual Trouble in Toyland report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group points out. There are concerns over lead content, inaccurate or misleading labeling, small parts, and even some cybersecurity issues. Kristen Carver, a campus organizer for PIRG, tells us problems with toys found in dollar stores that had conflicting information on their packaging.
“They had misleading labels. So, they had labels that said they’re ‘not for children under 8,’ however they also had a ‘3-plus’ label.”
Carver adds magnets and button batteries present extra concerns as choking hazards, since they can cause severe damage to a child’s digestive system and take extra time to be discovered in their bodies. To make sure smaller toys don’t present a choking hazard to young children, Carver recommends using a toilet paper roll. Any toy or part that fits inside the roll could get lodged in a child’s throat. You can find the new report right here.
