How to Buy Lead Free Toys
With the recent attack on toy manufacturers for allowing the production and distribution of lead-tainted products, selecting safe toys for their children has become a widespread concern for all parents. With a little knowledge, however, finding fun, lead-free toys shouldn't be a chore.
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Instructions
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Check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which provides a comprehensive list of recalled toys, as well as product pictures and links to toy manufacturers.
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Put your quarters away. Toys found in gum ball machines, such as metal and plastic jewelry, often contain traces of lead. Likewise, stay away from "dollar stores," which are filled with cheaply made products.
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Buy American-made toys. Look online and in specialty toys shops. Additionally, local craft fairs and farmer's markets often sell handmade toy products, such as wooden vehicles and cloth dolls. Shop for toys that are "fair-trade," whose regulations clearly restrict the use of toxic materials.
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Look for toy manufacturers who require a third party to perform lead tests.
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Change your buying habits. Although you may pay more for American-made or handcrafted toys, your child's safety is worth the extra cost. Similarly, buy toys less often and save your money for high-quality toys that are safe.
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Tips & Warnings
Lead testing kits, sold in hardware stores, are often unreliable for testing lead levels in toys, according to doctors and product safety experts. The tests are designed to detect lead on surfaces, not within the paint itself.
Children under the age of 6 are especially susceptible to the effects of lead poisoning. If you are concerned that your child has ingested a lead-tainted product, have your pediatrician perform a simple blood test.
