Blisstree » lead_paint

natural, American-made toys

Bill — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:03:30 +0000

For those of you who have been searching for natural toys that aren’t slathered in lead paint, I found one resource that does just that.

Maple Landmark of Middlebury, Vermont (US) is a small company of about 30 people that make all their own toys, games and gifts to follow U.S. safety standards and use local or domestically sourced raw materials. In fact, their website states that “only about 1% of our budget goes to purchase foreign-sourced item.”

Their “paints are non-toxic and completely safe for children” according to their marketing manager, and all the products have a timeless appeal that you just don’t get from most plastic, mass-produced junk.

If you’re looking to order from them, be aware that recent demand for their products has been incredibly high and they may not be able to ship new orders in time for Christmas / holiday arrival. Their products are also sold in stores and their website, www.maplelandmark.com has a retailer locater to find the store nearest you.

Just as appealing as their products is their stance on environmental and social responsibility. Even if you’ve already done your shopping, their website is worth checking out.

Post from: Blisstree

natural, American-made toys

Et tu, Curious George?

Bill — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:17:29 +0000

The Man in the Yellow Hat must have been feeding Curious George old paint chips because he too has high levels of lead.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission announced the recall of a Curious George plush toy for violation of lead paint standards. Naturally, it was produced in China and the offending part of the plush toy was a hard, plastic face on the doll.

Description: This recall involves Curious George 12-inch plush dolls
with a plastic face. The dolls are dressed to represent five various
themes: birthday, fireman, sweet dreams, tool time and tool time with a
soft face. The plush dolls were sold with a Curious George storybook or
activity book. The following product and SKU numbers are printed on the
packaging.

Birthday : 90253/ 8-83199-90253-5
Fireman : 90246/ 8-83199-90246-7
Sweet Dreams : 90247/ 8-83199-90247-4
Tool Time : 90251/ 8-83199-90251-1
Tool Time (soft face) : 90251/ 8-83199-90251-1

Sold at: Toy and discount department stores nationwide from December
2005 through August 2007 for about $15.

If you want your own CPSC recall updates, you can subscribe and have them sent to your own email address by signing up at http://www.cpsc.gov/. Check out Chief Family Officer for more information on other recent recalls.

Post from: Blisstree

Et tu, Curious George?

Lead toy recalls

Bill — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:57:56 +0000

Chief Family Officer, the omniscient lead toy recall source, has posted about another seven toy recalls. Six of them for dangerous lead exposure and one for a head injury risk.

Particularly timely is the recall of a Halloween pail for violation of lead paint standards.

Post from: Blisstree

Lead toy recalls

6 toys recalled yesterday, I’m sick of this crap

Bill — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:15:31 +0000

I’m trying not to be negative and almost don’t like posting recalls every time one occurs (especially because it seems to be happening every day), but I feel it is something of which people should be aware. However, an additional six toys were recalled yesterday (Oct. 11, 07, listed below).

At the suggestion of a commenter on a previous recall post, I would like to assemble a list of people’s favorite healthy and safe toys. If you’ve got favorite (homemade or purchased) toys, please contact me and let me know about them. Either leave a comment or email me at bill.fezzie at b5media dot com

Credit for this list lays with CFO.

1. Riddell Collectible Mini Racing Helmets
2. Kipp Brothers Bendable Dinosaur Toys
Cracker Barrel Travel Art Sets
J.C. Penney Disney Winnie-the-Pooh Play Sets
J.C. Penney Delux Art Set
J.C. Penney Breyer Stirrup Ornaments

Post from: Blisstree

6 toys recalled yesterday, I’m sick of this crap