Consumer group warns of dangerous toys

The report is called 'Trouble in Toyland,' and the U.S. consumer group behind it wants parents to know that there are toys in stores now that can cause harm, even death, to their child.

To underscore its message, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) points out that 380 children have died from toy-related injuries in the U.S. since 1990. Twelve of them died this year.

"We've made a lot of progress, but dangerous toys can still be found among our children's playthings," said PIRG public health advocate Liz Hitchcock.

While there has been a concerted effort to remove lead from children's toys, and 6.3 million toys recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission since 2008, PIRG says that lead is still a serious problem.

Lead poisoning kills 4-year-old

To highlight how serious a problem lead can be, the group highlights a 2007 case where a 4-year-old Minneapolis boy died from lead poisoning after swallowing a charm from a Reebok charm bracelet. The trinket, which was removed from the boy's stomach, contained 99 per cent lead.

Among the lead-containing items parents are warned to stay away from is the Princess Expressions Tiara and Jewelry set. Testing found it contains 87 parts per million of lead. The Play Pets Monkey in a Banana has 97 ppm of lead.

While most parents are likely aware of lead, only a few may have heard of phthalates, additives that improve the flexibility of plastic products. The chemicals are known to cause reproductive problems, such as abnormal genital development in boys, and disruption in sexual development. They're also linked to premature birth, early onset puberty and lower sperm counts.

PIRG points to the Dora the Explorer backpack as an example of children's products containing high levels of phthalates. Lab results show the backpack contains 150,000 parts per million of the chemical Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The chemical is not regulated.

The greatest overall hazard to children is choking, according to the PIRG report. Since 1990, choking has caused more than half the toy-related deaths of U.S. children.

While the size of toys and toy parts that can cause choking in children is regulated, PIRG says the government can go much further in its protections by increasing the allowable size of toys for small children.

The consumer group points to a Playskool tool bench, which was recalled in 2006, to illustrate the danger. Two boys, a 19-month-old in West Virgina and a two-year-old in Texas suffocated when plastic toy nails that came with the set became lodged in their throats.

Among the toys parents may be considering for their children this Christmas, PIRG warns against the Fisher Price 'Let's Get Building! Construction Playset.' While it does not require a choke warning, PIRG notes it contains parts that are just slightly larger than the current limit.

While the report does not contain a complete list of toys which could be harmful, it does have advice which can help parents navigate the more dangerous corners of the toy store.

"PIRG's report and the resources we offer will help consumers identify and avoid the worst threats and keep their children safe this year," said Hitchcock.