Arkansas AG: Don't Toy With Your Child's Safety

Aug 17, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK- This week's recall announcement by major toy manufacturer, Mattel Inc., added yet another cause for concern for parents of young children. In the United States, Mattel has recalled 265,000 toy cars due to lead paint concerns and more than 9.3 million toys, such as Polly Pocket and Barbie, with tiny magnets that could be swallowed by children. For parents and caretakers, figuring out which of their children's toys may pose a hazard to their health is a tough task. Accordingly, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer alert to help parents protect their children from defective and potentially dangerous products.

"I urge all parents to inventory their children's toys immediately," said McDaniel, "and if they are unsure if a toy has been recalled, they should err on the side of caution and get rid of it. I have a six year old daughter, and I think all parents would agree that it is better to be safe than sorry."

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To keep track of toy recalls, parents should periodically access the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site, http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html, and the Attorney General's Child Product Safety Web site, www.childproductsafety.com, which is regularly updated with product recalls as required by the Child Product Safety Act, which this office helped to establish. This law allows the Attorney General's Office to take action with regard to any retailer that knowingly sells recalled products.

In addition to checking their kids' toys at home, parents who use childcare facilities should inquire as to what toys they may supply to children. By law, licensed daycare centers are required to periodically check to make sure that none of their equipment has been recalled. Parents should ask the manager of their child's daycare center what toys are provided to children, especially with regard to Mattel products. In addition, they should inquire as to whether the facility is licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and whether the operator conducts periodic reviews of all equipment.

After making the above inquiries, if you believe the facility has violated safety standards or any other child care facility regulations, you should contact DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education by calling (501) 682-4891 or by accessing its Web site, http://www.state.ar.us/childcare/. For further information about the Child Product Safety Act, recalled products or to voice concerns about retailers selling recalled items, please contact the Attorney General's Public Protection Department at (501) 682-2341 (Little Rock) or 1-800-482-8982.

Source: Arkansas Attorney General