Is There Really "Trouble in Toyland?"

What's our take on the U.S. PIRG’s 2020 Trouble in Toyland Release? And, what are three key tips for purchasing safe toys in this age of ecommerce and online marketplaces?

U.S. PIRG uses the headline “Trouble in Toyland” for its annual report to needlessly frighten parents with baseless claims. What PIRG doesn’t tell you (because it would not grab headlines) is that toys continue to be one of the safest consumer product categories found in the home, based on data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

U.S. toy safety requirements include more than 100 rigorous standards and tests to ensure that toys are safe. All toys, regardless of where they are made, must comply with these standards, which go above and beyond those for other consumer products. There are strict limits for lead and other chemicals in toys, internationally emulated limits on sound level output, a highly effective small parts regulation that was developed with the help of pediatricians, and strict standards prohibiting the use of strong magnets in any toy part that is small enough to be swallowed.

DEBUNKING PIRG’S MYTHS:

1. Some of the items PIRG speaks of are recalled product that are not available for purchase from verified, legitimate toy sellers. The Toy Association works year-round to educate parents and caregivers to always shop at reputable stores and verified online retailers, and to avoid buying toys from unverified sellers on online marketplaces. These vendors likely do not monitor for recalled products or might be selling counterfeit/imitation toys that do not comply with strict U.S. laws. PIRG does agree with The Toy Association that online marketplaces need to do better at policing their sites for recalled products, ensuring warnings are present on the webpage, and confirming that product descriptions do not contradict warnings or package age labels. (Learn more about the toy industry’s work to make online marketplaces safer in this Toy Association white paper.)

2. There is no such thing as a “near small part.” There is a highly effective small parts regulation and a federally approved small parts tester (available online), developed by doctors, that can be used to test small objects found around the home. Families are encouraged to always check and follow the age-grading on toy packaging. Toys labeled 3+ may contain small parts that can be a choking hazard for children under three (or kids who still mouth toys).

3. The group also mentions several items that are not toys, such as: adult magnets, balloons, and in-app purchases. These products are not subject to the same rigorous standards as toys and including them under a “toy” safety headline deliberately misleads parents and undermines the toy industry’s deep and ongoing commitment to safety. (In addition, some of PIRG’s allegations have nothing to do with safety, such as the complaint about in-app purchases.)

Safety is the toy industry’s top priority every day of the year, not just during the holidays. Families are invited to visit www.PlaySafe.org, The Toy Association’s safety resource for parents and caregivers.

What's more, The Toy Association recently released research on consumer behavior around toy purchases.

A shocking 83 percent of parents say their kids receive toys from grandparents and other gift-givers which they suspect are not purchased from verified sellers, including 48 percent who say it happens "frequently," according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. parents conducted by Wakefield Research for The Toy Association.

What's more, 2 in 5 parents (45 percent) say they would keep a toy even if they suspected it was counterfeit and potentially unsafe – more than double the 19 percent who said the same in 2019. This is troubling since these toys may not have been tested for safety. In contrast, legitimate toys sold by verified sellers and known brands are tested for compliance with more than 100 strict U.S. safety standards.

Three key takeaways for consumers:

TIP #1 – AVOID SHADY SELLERS: Dig deep into a lesser-known seller's online presence and reviews to be sure the toy under consideration is authentic – and therefore, safe. Can't find a website for the manufacturer or seller? That's one red flag. Multiple grammatical errors in a product description or poorly photoshopped pictures are also red flags. A great alternative is to visit the toy brand's website and either purchase directly from the site or follow links to an official retailer to purchase. And remember: if a deal seems too good to be true, the product might be a counterfeit or imitation. A fake toy or cheaper alternative might be unsafe; it's just not worth the risk.

TIP #2 – AGE MATTERS: Following the age label on toy packaging can save a child from serious injury. For example, toys labeled 3+ might contain small parts that are a choking hazard for children under three (or those who still mouth toys). More than a quarter (26 percent) of parents surveyed said their child has a received a toy intended for older children, proving that gift-givers need to be better educated on the importance of heeding age labels.

TIP #3 – AVOID DANGEROUS NON-TOY GIFTS: A surprising 15 percent of parents surveyed said their child has received a gift that was not a toy. Yet items like office supplies, desk puzzles, home decorations, watches, and remote controls that are not meant for children may contain small batteries and/or high-powered magnets that can be accessed by children and very dangerous if accidentally swallowed. Your best bet is to stick with purchasing toys intended for children, since there are strict federal standards in place to make sure those products are safe.

We all carry a great responsibility to keep children safe at play. All good wishes to you and your families for a happy holiday season and for continued good health and safety.

-Steve Pasierb. President & CEO, The Toy Association