Summary

Introduction

Survey Findings

Choking Hazards

The Water Yo-Yo

Dangerously Loud Toys

Toxic Toys

Survey of Online Toy Retailers

Ineffective Toy Recalls

Loopholes in Toy Safety Legislation

Positive Trends in 2003

Survey Methodology

Attachments/Charts

Credits

Survey Methodology

Store Toy Safety Survey - A team of surveyors conducted a comprehensive statewide toy safety survey in October and November 2003. NYPIRG staff trained the surveyors to identify hazardous toys. In general, surveyors checked toys for the following hazards: choking, toxic substances, strangulation, sharp edges, projectiles, hair and/or clothing entanglement, excessive loudness, scooters and baby walker hazards. Surveyors also looked for and identified water yo-yos present in New York state stores. Grids containing the results of the survey, a description of the hazards and glossary of terms and a copy of the survey form are attached to this report.

Online Toy Survey – Surveyors compiled a list of numerous toys on toy store shelves that require and contain proper choke hazard labeling. Surveyors then identified as many online toy retailers as possible, ultimately compiling a list of more than 40 vendors. On each website, we searched for five toys requiring choke hazard labeling and noted whether or not the statutory choke hazard warning was displayed with the product listing. (On some sites, five toys requiring choke hazard warnings were not available.) For websites allowing consumers to search for toys by age group, we entered the category including toys for 2 year olds and attempted to locate toys that had small parts. If surveyors found toys that contain small parts or if the website directed consumers to toys with small parts, then they noted that the website’s age categories include age-inappropriate toys. See Attachments for the findings of our 2003 online toy survey.

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