If you have a Manhattan Toy Tumble Tower Rattle, the recall notice says you should stop using it immediately and return it to the store where you bought it for a full refund.  Alternatively, you can call Manhattan Toy at 1-800-541-1345 for a replacement toy.

Image: ManhattanToy.com

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Swindell’s 5 tips for safe holiday toy shopping:

1. Don’t worry, but be vigilant. “The toy recalls have raised concerns about a number of features on imported toys,” notes Swindell. Check online for up-to-date recall information before heading out to the stores. Look for warnings about small parts, breaking, fire and choking hazards, as well as information about lead paint. “Even made in the U.S.A. does not mean it is a safe toy, so make sure to check all labels and recalls,” Swindell cautions.

2. Be cautious when shopping online. “There are pros and cons to online shopping,” Swindell says. While it may be more convenient, you are not able to hold the toy and examine it as effectively as you would in-person. If you
prefer online shopping, Swindell recommends reading product reviews from multiple sources — by other customers and independent panels — to make sure the toy is safe.

3. Choose toys wisely to make your children wiser. “Toys that promote healthy behavior or require children to use their imagination should always be top picks,” Swindell says. Toys such as a new bike, a puppet or doll, a book, or anything that involves the active engagement of the child’s mind are good ways to promote mental activity and healthy habits.

4. Inspect toys carefully and always read the labels. “Toy testing is only done when the toy is intact, so even a safe toy can become dangerous,” Swindell warns. Broken toys must be thrown away. And before you purchase a toy, make sure it is well constructed. When pieces break off a toy, it can leave a sharp edge or cause a possible chocking hazard. When selecting a toy, make sure it is age-appropriate. “Age recommendations are made by independent review panels that look at the size of the parts, strangulation and choking hazards as well as the ability of children to use the toys according to their motor skills,” Swindell says

5. Research the toys on your little one’s wish list. If your child has been dying for a toy all year and advertisements for it seem to be popping up everywhere, make sure to check it out before you buy. Look online for any recall information, product reviews by other customers and independent panels. If you find that the particular toy is just not right, look for other, similar options. “If it is something that the kids have seen on TV or in a movie, try to find another toy that has that same theme but is just right,” Swindell says. For example, consider a puzzle from your child’s favorite movie instead of a movie action figure that may include small pieces.

And, before you buy, be sure to read these other toy-buying tips:
• Buying a bike, tricycle, scooter, or anything with wheels? Make sure to buy a helmet.
• Don’t forget books – they count as toys too.
• Organic toys are becoming more popular, but Swindell cautions that there is not yet a designated label that provides information about a toy being organic.
• Look for toys that are flame resistant, retardant or nonflammable.
• If the toy is battery-operated or requires recharging of any sort, have a parent do it. Serious burns and other injuries may result if not done properly.
• If you are buying a stuffed animal, doll or other toy that is filled, make sure the inside contents would not pose a choking hazard if the toy was ripped or broken. Avoid substances such as beans and pellets whenever possible.

via newswise.com

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From Thrifty Mommy:

Karen shares More Recalled Toys Part I and Part II.

Then check out some safety tips and reminders from seattlepi.com. This one includes a link to a recall site, handy for keeping up on recalls for hand-me-down toys and such.

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Lemme know.

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Recall info from injuryboard.com

Recall info from CBS News

Recall info from The New York Times

Recall info from the Marine Corps (includes extensive product list)

Time to head to the toy box and clean it out!

ht: Hsien

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A couple of quotes of interest:

Industrial waste, including dirty carpet fluff, paper and used instant noodle packaging, was found in some toys, the newspaper reported.

Some baby clothes contained harmful chemicals, the investigation found.

“These fluffy toys with bacteria or even viruses in them could cause children to itch if they touch them for a short time, or even cause disease over the long term,” Beijing News said.

About half of all goods withdrawn from sale in the EU in 2006 were Chinese, according to figures from the European Commission.

China’s state news agency, Xinhua, has reported that China will ban the sale of toys that fail to pass a national compulsory safety certification beginning from 1 June.

Head on over here for the complete article.

via: Hsien

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1. When shopping for toys, keep in mind the child’s age, interests and abilities.
2. Read toy or packaging labels for age ranges and safety warnings – and only choose toys that are appropriate for the age of the child.
3. Be especially careful when choosing toys for children under three. Select toys that are free of small pieces (or pieces that separate or can be broken off), are lightweight, have no sharp edges or points and are non-toxic.
4. At home, read instructions for assembly and use. Keep product literature in case of future questions and complete warranty cards.
5. Remove and discard all packaging from a toy before giving it to a child.
6. Consider the home environment in which a child will play with a toy and whether younger children may be there. A toy intended for an older child may be dangerous in the hands of a younger one.
7. Supervise children when they play and set good examples of safe play.
8. Remind caregivers, including grandparents, of play-related safety concerns.
9. Choose a safe storage place for toys.
10. Check toys at least every three months to determine their safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw away damaged toys.

All of these sound pretty reasonable expect for the one about discarding packaging. As most parents will attest, boxes and plastic casing formed in the shape of the action figure or other toy are fun in and of themselves. But, of course, this is really only safe for older children and not toddlers or infants.

As for discarding toys, I’m afraid we haven’t been doing so well on that. I still try to toss things as I come across them but my son often rescues them. I think I’ll have to try using a black garbage bag and stash it away somewhere out of reach!

More toy safety at USA Today: Safety issues can be ugly surprise in toys for kids.

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Do you remember playing with a doctor’s kit like this as a kid? I seem to remember mine had a metal case that had started to rust. (Or maybe it was my brother’s and I just took it from him. Oops.) Do they even make metal toys anymore?

While toys like these are lots of fun and can encourage our little ones to aspire to great careers in the healthcare field (whether it’s caring for people or our furry friends), there is a caution to go with them.

My dear friend, Jackie Mathias, who is a former preschool teacher and nanny extraordinaire (not Supernanny, but she could be!), has this caution for such toys, “I would like you to warn parents about the doctors’ play sets. Though they are very fun and virtually harmless, remember that until a certain age they do not get the thermometer put in their mouths. That was a fun day of notes home to parents. ”

That was an experience from her days teaching preschool in the two-year-old room. And I don’t think she was talking about the ear thermometer. Yikes!

So, remember, it’s not just the safety of the toys themselves that we have to watch out for, but the ways our kids play with the toys as well. Happy playtime!

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