Consumers warned about dangerous toys

Friday, November 30, 2012

Pictured is a Thomas The Tank Engine toy train at the Global Thrift store in Waltham, Mass, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. Store manager Mark Pochesci had to remove this toy and others from sale because he believes they may contain lead or have small, removable parts that can be swallowed by children. Thrift store owners are coping with the fallout from the recall of millions of Chinese-made toys. (AP Photo/William B. Plowman)

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consumer product safety commission, children, holiday, shopping, consumer news

Federal authorities have a big warning for parents this holiday season -- be very careful about the toys you buy for your kids.

This year, U.S. Customs officials and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have blocked a record amounts of overseas shipments bound for toy stores near you, seizing more than 2 million toys and children products.

On Thursday authorities converged on a warehouse in New Jersey, taking toys right out of the boxes and testing them.

Dolls, action figures, toy guns, and cars are the prime gifts that should bring holiday cheer but are often among the most dangerous items. Some have electrical or choking hazards, while others have sharp edges.

And lead contamination is a growing concern. In some cases, lead levels are a thousand times higher than U.S. federal standards allow.

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Tags:

consumer product safety commission, children, holiday, shopping, consumer news