Action Alert: Test the Toys, Not Our Kids!
Our kids shouldn’t be guinea pigs when it comes to testing toys. That is why Congress passed a law in 2008 requiring children's products be independently safety tested before millions more of them make their way into our children’s hands. Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission must vote to implement the testing rules. But some manufacturers are still trying to undermine the requirement, putting kids at risk.
Third-party testing is a common-sense, effective way to prevent unnecessary harm to our kids. Countless products are now imported from overseas manufacturers that don't have the same safety requirements as we do here in the United States, making independent safety testing vital to keeping unsafe imports off store shelves.
Independent safety testing and certification also will prevent costly and disruptive recalls that can damage our vulnerable economy. And most important, testing will catch hidden problems such as lead and other dangers that even the most vigilant parents cannot catch.
Tell the Commissioners to follow through and implement the testing law. It’s time that we stop using our children as safety guinea pigs.
I am glad that this Law was passed, we may not always know what type of materials are put into some of these toys we buy for our children. We should not have to find out the hard way if that toy is potentially harmful for our children. This should continue on and be taken serious before something tragic occurs. We should be able to trust the makers of these toys for our children and for them to be safe.
Ineeze Gainey