Most Toxic Toys of 2009

Toy Safety

What’s New

24th Trouble in Toyland report

Toys should bring kids joy, but sometimes they bring injury, serious harm, or even death. This holiday season, as we have for the past 23 years, U.S. PIRG is working to reduce the number of injuries and tragedies caused by dangerous toys.

The 24th annual Trouble in Toyland survey focuses 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.

U.S. PIRG also has a new interactive smart phone website – http://www.toysafety.mobi – to help parents and other toy-shoppers avoid common hazards and report potential dangers they find on toy store shelves, right from their mobile phones or home computers.

USP Toy cover09 Most Toxic Toys of 2009

To read the report, click here.

How You Can Help

Spread the word about toy safety

Check out the interactive toy tool and report potentially dangerous toys here.

Also, if you suspect you have a toxic or otherwise dangerous toy or any unsafe product (coffeemaker, lawn mower, etc.), you can report it to the CPSC either online at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html or over the phone at Toll-free Consumer Hotline: 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270). Send a copy of your report to us at info@uspirg.org.

Overview

While most toys on store shelves are safe, we continue to find toys that pose a range of safety hazards to small children. As a result, parents and other child-care providers need to remain vigilant in order to prevent toy-related deaths and injuries.

Recently, U.S. PIRG broadened the scope of unsafe toys to include toys labeled as phthalate-free. Our analysis last year shows that even some products labeled phthalate-free contain the dangerous chemical.

Toy manufacturers should act swiftly to recall unsafe products and give parents the information they need to allow them to purchase safe toys for their children. U.S. PIRG and our allies have prompted recalls or regulatory action on over 100 toys.

elmo Most Toxic Toys of 2009

The Public Interest Research Groups work to protect our kids all year round. This lunch bag was found to contain illegal levels of two phthalates, chemicals that can cause premature birth, reproductive defects and early onset puberty for young girls. Read more in the study from IllinoisPIRG.

phone horizontal2 Most Toxic Toys of 2009

U.S. PIRG has also launched a new, interactive mobile phone tool and website. This simple interactive tool allows shoppers to check on possible hazards while at the store, or before they go shopping, as well as report hazards they find.

News

Washington, D.C.: Parents Beware - Many Toys Still Toxic, Hazardous 11/24/2009

Washington, D.C.: Consumer Advocates to Fed - Stop Evasions by Credit Card Companies 11/20/2009

Washington, D.C.: New Report - Parents Beware - Many Toys Still Toxic, Hazardous 11/19/2009

Newsroom

Resources

Letter From U.S. PIRG and Other Groups to CPSC Regarding Lead in Children’s Products

Tips for Toy Safety (shopping guide)

Searchable Database of Toxic Toys

Toys recalled by the CPSC

Archive of Toy Safety Updates

Toy-related Deaths, 1990-2005