Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to the Florida Public Interest Research Group (Florida PIRG). At a news conference today at All Children’s Hospital, Florida PIRG presented its 24th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
Joining Brad Ashwell of Florida PRIG were Senator Charlie Justice and ACH’s Emergency Center physician Dr. Ricardo Jimenez.
According to the most recent data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) toy-related injuries sent more than 82,000 children under the age of five to emergency rooms in 2008. Nineteen children died from toy-related injuries that year.
The latest Trouble in Toyland report, along with a new interactive tool accessible via smart phone or computer – www.toysafety.mobi - will help parents and other toy-buyers avoid some common hazards.
The 2009 Trouble in Toyland report and the interactive website focus on three categories of toy hazards: toys that may pose choking hazards, toys that are excessively loud, and toys that contain the toxic chemicals lead and phthalates.
Additional information on toy safety can be found on the U.S. PIRG website www.toysafety.net.
