Trouble in Toyland report: what toys cause concern

For the last 33 years, U.S. PIRG, a national nonpartisan nonprofit, has released its annual Trouble in Toyland report to help expose threats, including high levels of lead, “smart” toys with data security flaws, choking hazards, and more.

Dangerous toys continue to reach the market and injure children. In May, the Washington Attorney General announced testing, which revealed illegal levels of lead and cadmium in supplies and kids’ jewelry. There were 15,000 purchases of these products. In August, the Wall Street Journal found thousands of toys that failed to meet safety standards for choking hazards, toxics, and other threats–including two toys with illegal levels of lead.

As parents shop during the holiday season, the latest Trouble in Toyland report can help them steer clear of products that may be dangerous for their kids. Highlights in the report include the following products that are hazardous to children.

Choking hazards. In the last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled Ubbi Connecting Bath Toys and hundreds of thousands of wooden vehicles sold by Target. Small toys and break-off toy pieces like these can pose a choking hazard to young kids.  Toys marketed to ages six and older may contain small parts that are choking hazards for younger children. Parents should check all toys for age guidelines. Before your child plays with a toy for the first time, see if smaller parts fit through a toilet paper roll — indicating they pose a choking hazard.

Toys not meant for young children. In just over a month, two doctors at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, OR, removed 54 small magnets from four children. Small, powerful magnets used in toys like construction sets, educational tiles and sculpture kits can cause serious harm and even death when swallowed. Keep them away from your young kids. Small, powerful magnets used in various toys, including construction sets, educational tiles and sculpture kits can cause serious harm and even death when swallowed. Since a ban on these powerful magnets was overturned in 2016, they pose an ongoing threat to children. U.S. PIRG is asking that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission propose a new safety standard for these rare-earth magnets.

Toxics in slime and paint. Researchers found boron (an element part of borax) exceeding European Union safety standards in four out of four slimes tested. The mixing agent for the DIY 3-Pack of Rainbow Cosmic Slime Shakers contained 75 times the standard and no clear warning label not to ingest. The U.S. currently has no limit or warning label requirements for boron in children’s products. Without warning labels, parents are unaware of the potential danger that popular slime products pose. U.S. PIRG is asking policymakers to require labeling for children’s products with high boron concentrations and consider setting new health-based standards.

Toxics in makeup. U.S. PIRG found asbestos in Claire’s makeup last year. Makeup lacks necessary safety standards, which is why the nonprofit recommends avoiding these products for children, or at a minimum purchasing alternatives without talc, as it can be a source of asbestos.

“Privacy-invasive” connected toys. In the past, “smart toys” like the My Friend Cayla doll or the Furby Connect have recorded children’s voices or kept histories of the data they entered. Smart toys that operate over non-secure networks can collect and store this information, leaving it vulnerable to hackers. Sites, apps, games and smart toys may be collecting private data from your child and exposing their information to hackers. Consider running these smart toys without connections to the internet, evaluating privacy policies when you first activate them, and monitoring your child’s use. Check out this guide for more info.

Cadmium and lead in jewelry and toys. An investigation by the Wall Street Journal found two musical instruments with illegal levels of lead for sale on Amazon. The Washington Attorney General found children’s jewelry with cadmium above the federal legal limit. Cadmium is a toxic metal that can be used as a substitute for precious metals in inexpensive jewelry, including dress-up jewelry marketed to young children. If your child is under six, watch them carefully to confirm that they don’t swallow a piece of jewelry, chew on the item, or put it in their mouths. Also, consider avoiding cheaper, metallic jewelry that is imported.

Recalled toys still available online. The last line of defense against hazardous toys is the recall system, which removes illegal toys from the market. Unfortunately, these toys can remain on resale sites or in children’s hands because parents are unaware of the recall. Researchers were able to purchase INNOCHEER’s Kids Musical Instrument Set and VTech’s Musical Elephant Shaker more than a year after they were recalled. Before using an old or pre-owned toy from an online marketplace, garage sale or passed down from a family member, parents should confirm that the product has not been recalled by visiting SaferProducts.gov.