Consumer Protection In The News

Peggy Lee BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―

If your children are making their Christmas lists, you'll want to check them twice.

On the heels of the major toy recalls, parents should be on high alert.

Peggy Lee reports on what parents should know before they purchase any toys.

It's not easily recognizable, but in the plastic face of a Curious George Doll lies a hazard to children.

"The Curious George doll and the whole line of firemen Curious George, they all have five times the allowed lead in their face," said David Kosmos with Maryland PIRG.

"Hidden hazards of toxic chemicals are really the scariest part because you can't just look at the toy and know whether or not it's safe," said parent Kate Canada.

While Curious George is no longer on store shelves, other toys with potential risks are. At a press conference Tuesday, consumer advocates called for more government protection.

"It's unrealistic to think that parents are to pull apart a toy in the store to see if it has easily removable parts that can fit in a child's mouth," said Attorney General Doug Gansler.

According to findings by Maryland PIRG, 166 children died between 1990 and 2005 from choking on toys.  Nine died just in 2005.

Maryland PIRG says even items that don't fit in a choking tester could pose a threat. So what's a parent to do?  Make your own choking tester.  If it fits in a toilet paper roll it can pose as a threat.

Magnetic toys are another deadly threat. If more than just one magnet is swallowed, they can attract to each other, while inside a child's intestines.

"When that happens, the contents can come out causing infection in the inside of your abdomen and serious appendicitis can follow. So that becomes an absolute medical emergency and one that probably will result in surgical intervention," said Kosmos.