NYPIRG Toy Safety Survey 2004

Hazard and Label Key

Hazard Key:

CHOKING HAZARD: In general, toys may pose a choking hazard to small children if they contain small parts, small balls, or are latex balloons and fall into one of the categories listed below.

According to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines and the Child Safety Protection Act (CSPA), toys pose a choking hazard if they have play value for children under three -- bright colors, rounded edges, simple construction, easy to understand, etc. - and:

(1): Choking (small parts) - the toy (or any of its parts, pieces or easily removable parts) fits entirely inside the small parts testing cylinder. The toy is in violation of the CPSC safety regulations only if it, its parts, or easily removable parts fit entirely inside the 1.25" testing cylinder without being compressed.

(2): Choking (small balls) - the toy contains small balls that are smaller than a golf ball. If so, the toy is in violation of the CSPA.

Toys may pose a choking hazard if they fit in any of the following categories:

(3): Choking (near small parts) - the toy has play value for children under three and it or any of its parts, pieces or easily removable parts fit in the 1.25" testing cylinder but stick out at the top a little or fit inside only when compressed. These toys, while not in violation of the regulations, have still resulted in choking deaths in small children.

(4): Choking (small ball-like or spherical objects) - the toy has play value for children under three and it contains ball-like or spherical objects that are smaller than the 1.75 inch diameter of a golf ball.

(5): Choking (small play food) - the toy contains play food that is smaller than a golf ball.

(6): Choking (latex balloons targeted to toddlers) - the toy is a latex balloon that would appeal to small children. Balloons are a leading toy killer. Small children can choke on deflated balloons and balloon pieces. Balloons that feature cartoon characters and popular children's figures such as Mickey Mouse that are attractive to toddlers or that say Happy First, Second or Third Birthday can be hazardous.

The toy is in violation of the choke hazard labels required under the CSPA:

(7): Choking (labeling) - Toys that contain small parts and are intended for children over three (ages 3-6) must contain tough choke hazard warning labels according to the CSPA. These toys are dangerous because toy shoppers may buy toys without the choking warnings for advanced one and two year olds putting those children at risk. Also, parents with 1-2 year olds and 3-6 year olds are not warned to keep the toys with small parts appropriate for the 3-6 year olds away from the 1-2 year olds, putting the 1-2 year olds in danger.

OTHER HAZARDS: While most children who are seriously injured by toys, choke on small parts, balls or balloons, children are also injured by toys in other ways. The following categories contain descriptions of other toy hazards:

Toxic Substances: According to the Hazardous Substances Act (HSA), there are certain substances that should not be found in art supplies, makeup kits and cosmetics because they are toxic. These substances include toluene, xyelene, phthalate, epichlorohydrin or glycol ethers (EGME, EGEE, EGMEA and EGEEA).

Strangulation: Any toy that contains a rope, chain, string or elastic band could encircle a child's neck and strangle them. Strings on crib toys over 6 inches and strings on pull-toys over 12 inches in length may pose a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

Eye or Face Injuries - Laceration/Sharp Edges: Any rigid edge or surface can lacerate a child, leaving them blinded, scarred or disfigured. Children's eye makeup with hard, plastic applicators could result in eye injuries.

Eye or Face Injuries - Projectiles: Often projectile toys have sharp edges and pieces and these can be very dangerous. Some projectile toys project hard objects with unreasonable amounts of power.

Hair or Clothing Entanglement: Toys that contain loose attachments, dolls that eat, cars or trucks with wheels that move automatically may pose entanglement hazards which can result in strangulation, scalp injuries, skin lacerations, etc.

Fall-Related Injuries - Scooters: Since their fairly recent introduction, there have been thousands of scooter-related injuries. Scooters that are marketed to young children (feature popular children's characters) and/or do not have safety warning labels pose particular hazards.

Excessive Loudness: According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, parents may think that noise is a problem they need not worry about until their child reaches the teenage years. Not so. Some toys are so loud that they can cause hearing damage in children. Thomas H. Fay, Ph.D., audiologist and former director of the Speech and Hearing Department at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, suggests that, prior to purchasing a new toy, parents or others who buy toys for children, should listen to the toy. If the toy sounds loud, it should not be purchased. Toys designed to be held near a child's ear (phones, boom boxes, etc.) that seemed excessively loud (sound like a car alarm, loud horn, shrill ring, etc.) pose particular hazards.

The Water Yo-Yo: The water yo-yo was introduced last year and has been responsible for hundreds of injuries. The toy may be flammable, pose a choking, strangulation and/or entanglement hazard and eye or face injury to children.

Label Key:

None - Package does not contain a safety label for the hazard listed. Package may contain warning or safety labels for other hazards.

Age - Package contains an age recommendation but not a Safety Recommendation.

Safety - Package contains the statutory choke hazard safety label unless otherwise specified.