In yet another recall, Mattel today has asked parents to return almost 19 million toys made in China due to safety threats they pose from tiny magnets or lead paint. This action follows the millions of toys Mattel has already recalled in two earlier actions this summer (see July 8 blog, below) due to the  hazards the toys create for children.

One Chinese toy company manufacturer has supposedly committed suicide over the scandal. Mattel is taking out full-page newspaper ads claiming it has “one of the most trusted names with parents” and is “working extremely hard” to address parents’ concerns and “continue creating safe, entertaining toys for you and your children.” Meanwhile, parents worry whether any toy made in China can be trusted.

What can you do?

* Call Mattel at 888-597-6597 for information about the recalled toys with magnets, or 800-916-4997 for information about other recalled items.

* Contact your member of Congress. Urge the federal government to do a better job inspecting toys that are imported from China and other countries.

* Tell your local toy store (Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, KayBee) you no longer intend to buy any toy imported from China.

* Find local toy manufacturers whose businesses you can support.

If you send me the name of local toy manufacturers who can show they use non-toxic materials in crafting their products, I’ll list the safe companies here so other parents can find them.

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The problem seems to be three-fold. First and foremost, the toys are being manufactured in China, where safety laws are lax to say the least. We know Chinese factories have also exported poisonous pet food and dangerous car tires. It makes you wonder if you can even buy chopsticks from China and not worry about getting sick.

Second, the U.S. government does not do enough to regulate the safety of toys coming into our country from abroad. Essentially, the toy industry is allowed to be its own watchdog — which means the dog isn’t doing a lot of watching. Legislation introduced by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and Florida Senator Bill Nelson would require third-party testing of imported and domestic toys and goods aimed at children 5 years old or younger, but it’s only just beginning to make its way through the policy processes on Capitol Hill.

Third, toy stores themselves are not holding manufacturers accountable enough for the products they sell. Safety needs to be verified before a toy leaves China, not after it gets into a child’s play room. In the case of the current recall, Mattel says more than 300,000 tainted toys have been bought by consumers in the United States. Were those toys being sold at stores and online even after Mattel notified retailers of the danger they posed to their customers?

While answers to these questions sort themselves out, you can take action. If you haven’t already done so, visit www.mattel.com for information on how to return any contaminated toys you’ve bought.

Mom’s Rising is organizing a Congressional petition for children’s safety at: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/momsrising/signUp.jsp?key=2362&t=petition.dwt

Contact the toy company where you shop to encourage more responsible monitoring and sourcing from countries other than China:

Mattel

ROBERT A. ECKERT
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas A. Debrowski, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations
Mattel, Inc.
333 Continental Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245-5012 (310) 252-2000 tel

Wal-Mart
Lee Scott, CEO
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611 (800) 925-6278

Toys R Us
Joan Donovan. Sr. VP General Merchandise Manager
Toys”R”Us, Inc. International Division
1 Geoffrey Way Wayne, NJ USA 07470 (973) 617-3500

K-B Toys100 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201(413) 496-3000

Target
Robert J. Ulrich, CEO
Target
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403 (Map)
Phone: 612-304-6073
Fax: 612-696-5400

To find earth-friendly toys that are not decorated with lead paint, visit. www.ecomall.com

For tips on how to keep your baby’s toys safe, see these suggestions from WhattoExpect.com.

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