Children are probably happiest on two occasions: their birthdays and Christmas. The reason? Gifts, of course! And despite the financial crunch we're experiencing these days, nearly everyone still sets a small portion of their disposable income aside to buy gifts for their children, nephews/nieces, and inaanaks. But how sure are you that the gifts you are giving them are child-friendly and toxin-free? According to this ABS-CBN news report, Philippine waste and pollution watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has been actively promoting responsible and safe gift-giving to alert adults of the dangers of some cheap toys available in Divisoria and Baclaran, which may contain toxic ingredients.
However, chemical use in toy production is not completely bad--as long as the manufacturer follows the allowable limits established by the International Food and Drugs Board, says another ABS-CBN report. The same report reveals that, in the Philippines, toys have to go through safety and chemical testing before they become available in the market. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also explains that manufacturers, importers, and distributors of toys have to acquire a certificate of conformity from them, which guarantees that their products have passed the safety standards of DTI’s laboratory tests.
Being aware of safety standards helps parents and consumers keep a watchful eye on hazardous toys that may have slipped through screening and are made available on the market. Apart from toxic chemicals endangering children's health, these irresponsibly-made toys may also endanger children's lives. To avoid that, here are five safety tips adults should live by when buying toys:
1. READ THE LABELS
Be wary of toys that provide no information as to the type of paint the manufacturer uses, because the paint may just contain a harmful chemical called lead. Lead is a common ingredient used to intensify the color of paint, but it is an environmental and health hazard. Lead, even in small amounts, can bring about negative effects in children, such as attention disorders, irritability, and hyperactivity. Higher amounts of lead exposure may bring about learning and reading problems, hearing loss, and delayed growth. For more information on lead poisoning, check out this article on KidsHealth.org.
2. PURCHASE AGE-APPROPRIATE TOYS
There’s a reason why toy manufacturers put an age guide on the products. Risks such as choking, strangulation, and allergic reactions present themselves if a child is too young to handle or understand the function of a toy. Always check out the labels for the age-appropriateness of the toy. No labels? No problem! In this case, the Internet is definitely your friend. BabyCenter.com offers advice on the best types of playthings for babies per stage of development, from newborns up to three-year-olds.
3. CHECK FOR WARNINGS AND FULL-DISCLOSURE OF INGREDIENTS/COMPONENTS
In a recent interview with GMA news, EcoWaste Coalition states that among the cheap and popular toys we see around that might be dangerous to the health of infants and children are rubber ducks and squeezable plastic toys. In fact, out of the seven cheap toys purchased in Divisoria that have undergone safety testing, six toys have been considered as dangerous because they contain phthalates. Phthalates is a toxic material used to soften polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which is a substance often used to manufacture plastic toys. Exposure to phthalates may result to liver, kidney, and immune system problems.
4. EVEN “SAFE” TOYS CAN BE THREATS
In some instances, toys that have passed tests and are available on the market can still be recalled due to toxins which were not previously detected. Two big toy recalls happened in the United States earlier this year: drinking glasses that came with fast food meals and jewelry marketed towards little girls were pulled off shelves after they were found to contain cadmium, a chemical, which even in small doses, can cause cancer. Check news reports frequently to make sure that no warnings have been issued against toys you want to purchase for your children.
5. RETHINK YOUR GIFTS
The best (and safest) gifts in these critical toy times are those made of wood, ceramics, hard plastic, paper, and fabric. Clothes, books, and educational toys are great gift alternatives as well. There are plenty of these in toy stores everywhere, so don't worry!
Just remember to buy with your eyes wide open and do your research--don't trust that toxic toys are a problem with only the unknown brands. This 2009 list of toxic toy rankings at HealthyStuff.org organizes toys according to brand, type, level of concern, and chemical detected, and you'd be surprised to find some toys from big-name brands sporting stamps of high levels of concern, Disney, Bratz, Barbie, and Animal Planet being just a few listed among these. And the list only deals with a sampling! This NYDailyNews.com article recommends not just checking for certification on toy packaging, but also being vigilant by tracking news on the toy toxicity issue.
For more tips on safe (and sulit) shopping, check out these Buyer Beware articles:
- Buyer Beware: How to Go Online Shopping the Safe Way
- Buyer Beware: Tried and Tested Tips for Tiangge Shopping
- Buyer Beware: 10 Tips for Fruitful Ukay-Ukay Shopping
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(Photo by frielp via Flickr Creative Commons)
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