As consumers go on pre-Christmas toy shopping spree, a non-profit watch group for consumer and environmental health urged parents to pick up toys that will not expose young children to hazards lurking in some play things.
In the December 1 launching of its annual “Kid-Safe Toys for Zero Harm, Zero Waste,” the EcoWaste Coalition, a network of non-government and public interest groups promoting ecological waste solutions, advised parents to insist on the right of their children to safe toys regardless of where the toys are sold and bought.
“Regardless where you shop for toys, please be on the lookout for dangerous toys that can injure innocent children.
As adults who control the purse strings, we can harness our purchasing power to ensure that our kids are provided with toys that promise good fun, entertainment and education, and are protected against physical and chemical harm.
Our children deserve nothing less than non-hazardous toys,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Project.
Dangerous toys are those that pose burn, chemical, choking, ingestion, laceration, strangulation and other hazards, including those that can injure the eyes and damage the ears, the EcoWaste Coalition said.
“We appeal to the toy industry, particularly to the toy manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, to respect our children’s right to safe toys and not to put toys in the market that have not undergone and passed the required physical and chemical safety tests and are not adequately labeled,” Dizon added.