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DEL.ICIO.USGetting the lead out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some Dora the Explorer products have been part of recent toy recalls.
Exposure to lead used to come from two sources: Paint and gasoline. But in the 1970’s the government banned the use of lead in those materials.
So why do we keep hearing about lead levels in children’s products including everything from toys to jewelry to baby bibs?
It can make holiday shopping a nightmare.
What are your plans for buying safe items this holiday season?
Are there local stores that give a “lead-free”guarantee?
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By csims
November 13, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
With all of the recalls, I am NOT buying any toys this year. My kids are kind of young (6&3) and they will be receiving educational games both electronic and board. They will alos be getting clothes. I refuse to buy toys this year for them to be recalled two months later.
By Alicia
November 13, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
It is sad we even have to worry about this. Build in the USA!!!!
By Rhonda Steele
November 13, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
I am not buying any toys, either. I will be giving board games or dvd movies or hand made things. If everyone in America put their foot down about this, maybe some of these companies would start making their toys here in America. A suggestion to parents who need some type of toys - try local wood shops for wooden cars, dolls, etc. made right here in the USA., and other local crafts people.
By Lucky Yankee
November 13, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Our children have too much crud! They don’t NEED any more toys that they don’t play with anyway. My kids are no exceptions. I don’t presume to tell well-meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. what to buy, but this year I am dropping subtle hints about savings bonds, donations to the 529 college plan, clothing, etc. I realize that this sucks the fun out of everything but they just don’t need any more toys. I’m not suggesting that we eliminate gifts altogether! We also talked about pooling any cash gifts that we might receive and creating a vacation fund (heck, that might just be enough to pay for the gas!)
By Racebaiter
November 13, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
Uh, have you checked where the board games, DVD movies, and such are made?
By Jen
November 13, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Having 3 children who already have problems with clearing lead out of their bodies, this issue has been important to me for a while. It makes it difficult at Christmas (all year long, really) not only because of the toys, but also, the Christmas tree lights have it in the cording (stabilizes the plastic), and what about letting them handle the ornaments? How many of those are painted and made in China and other places? Do they have lead in them? The stuff is just about EVERYWHERE these days, and we wonder why 1 in 5 kids in this country has a learning disability or 1 in 150 (or more) has autism/aspergers/ADD/ADHD, and the list goes on…
States like CA have warning labels on things containing lead… halloween costumes, vinyl lunch boxes, hands’ free earpieces (and other similar things) for your cell phone, etc. Other states have not followed suit with this, and it’s a shame.
As far as what we’ll be doing for Christmas this year, I’m not sure yet. DVD’s are always an option, as are clothes, money, gift cards, handmade gifts, but it does take away the fun of it, I guess. I know places such as Target have been marketing some old-timey toys this year, but even then, I don’t know if they are safe or not. You’d think any companies who market products that will be used by or around children especially would really want to get on top of this. :(
By Atlanta Pearl Girl
November 13, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
I’m still shocked that we are still accepting anything from China at this point until they fix the problems….HELLOOOOOOO!
Atlanta Pearl Girl