http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/07/news/int...tm?cnn=yes
"Millions of toys recalled; contain 'date rape' drug
Two U.S. children went into comas after who swallowing Chinese-made Aqua Dots found to contain a chemical that converts into 'date rape' drug when ingested."
I'm sure it's just a result of improved inspection methods. Actually, weekly recalls of dangerous Chinese toys have been going on for years, but the internet has somehow just brought it to our attention. How long has the internet been around now, anyway? Two, three years?
Nothing to worry about folks. Nothing at all.
Maybe I'll look a little closer at all the toys DH brought home today.
https://secure.npsite.org/cu/site/Advoca...on&id=1732
"This year, more than 25 million toys have been recalled, many for dangerous lead paint.
- 80% of toys are made in China.
- The agency responsible for the safety of more than 15,000 products has only 15 inspectors at ports nationwide.
- The FDA inspects only about 1% of imported food."
Uh, Trina, you and other Americans are free to not buy your toys from China you know. Personal responsibility, etc.
And if you trust your government to inspect imports, then why not hold it accountable? I mean like, you know, by voting against those who take a lax attituded towa[/i]rds public safety. Just sayin'.
Uh, Trina, you and other Americans are free to not buy your toys from China you know. Personal responsibility, etc.
If the stat is true, that 80% are made in China, that sure makes it a little bit of a feat to distinguish them all, don't ya think? Especially when one considers that the gifters of toys are frequently not the parents.
Personally, I try to spend as few dollars on new toys as possible. Garage sales and eBay work best consdering how fleeting the fascination is.
I'll get back with you, though, on our personal household stats.
Lack of regulation and inspection is considered good for business by many people. Especially those affiliated with the Republican Party, the get the government off our backs party. Regulation tends to be low priority during those administations.
Upton Sinclair was cool. He saw the need, and exposed it.
What ever happened to "traditional" toys. You know, the ones that made the kids think and actually work at winning a game. Ball and Jacks, Chutes and Ladders, Jump Rope, etc. Now it's all about teaching baby how to think like a 30 year old, electronic "toys" for the kids like XBox, Gameboy, iPods and others that work the thumbs only. They're too young to have it all now.
I conducted my only survey while out shopping. Out of the dozens of toys I looked at, 1 was made in the U.S., 1 was made in Mexico. The rest? You guessed it, China.
And it didn't seem to matter if they were cheapo toys or some of the more highly sought-after ones.
2 out of the 3 toys I purchased were also made in China. Do I feel a little helpless? Yep. Am I? Nope.
"Am I? Nope."
You got it. My point exactly.
I just may be returning some stuff to the stores. I also discovered that most of the electronics and tools DH purchased were almost all made in China.
Tips I've found helpful so far:
Search for "Buy American" and "Made in the U.S.A."
Sources from Jacket's link:
parenting.com
fatbraintoys.com
One of my favorite suggestions from that clip: get the store manager to personally assist you in finding Made in the U.S.A. items.
And per the second link I posted, write your lawmakers. It contains a pre-made letter.