"Made in China" on toy shoppers holiday hit list
Recalled toys make parents extra careful
BY PETE SKIBA Florida Weekly Correspondent

The Go Diego Go Animal Rescue boat contains lead paint.

In the mad rush of the holiday season, starting with Black Friday, parents and relatives continue to check toy labels for "Made in China."

Recently toys made in China have been recalled for containing lead paint, magnetic parts and GHB, the date rape drug, of all things.

"I look for little parts, anything that might come off and choke a child when I buy a toy for my grandchildren," said Fort Myers resident Margaret Hulvy. 

"I used to work for Fisher-Price toys and ever since they closed the factory and sent manufacturing out of the country quality control went down to zero."

Other parents in the area keep up with toy recalls and warnings through newspapers, television programs and the internet.

"I pay attention to all the toy news on television like on the "Today" show," said North Fort Myers Amanda Early, mother of 3-year-old twins. "I also go to Web sites on the computer. I'm careful about the toys my children get."

Jack Sparrow's Spinning Dagger could cut eyes.

To others, it seems like all they have to do is see the "Made in China" sticker to drop the toy from their list.

"Absolutely I read the label on the toys and if it says 'Made in China' a red flag goes up," said John Pedone, 40, a Naples father of two children under 5 years old.

"I see it made in China and it raises an issue with me. Usually I pass on it, whether they want it or not."

Government regulators flagged Aqua Dots, a Chinese-made bead toy ordered made by Australia-headquartered company Moose Enterprises, off the market because it contained gammahydroxybutyric acid. Commonly called GHB, the date-rape drug, the substance if swallowed could lead to unconsciousness, a coma or death.

Two American children and three in Australia who swallowed the dots became hospitalized, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site, cpsc.gov, reported.

The American children slipped into a coma but have since recovered.

Toy retailers have taken toys such as 4.2 million Aqua Dots bead toys, Thomas & Friends railroad toys, Dora the explorer lamps and Curious George dolls off their shelves because they have toxic substances on them or can injure children in some other way.

Dora the Explorer lamp has a potential for shocks and burns. Meant to appeal to the youngest of children, it carried a warning, "It should not be placed where small children can reach it," stated the Web site toysafety.org.

Toys "R" Us, Target and KB Toys took further steps to stop the sale of recalled toys by putting a block on the barcodes at registers. The bar code on a bad toy would not allow it to be sold, said Amy Von Walter, Target spokeswoman.

"When a recall takes place we act rapidly to ensure the safety of our consumers," said Jerry Storch, chairman and chief executive officer of Toys "R" Us.

"We have strict procedures in place, which include immediately removing items from the sales floor, our stockrooms, our websites and our distribution centers."

KB Toys, Target, Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart all have information on recalled toys at their stores.

"We've heard parents' concerns over recent recalls and we're working hard to be their advocate, ensuring everyone involved in the toy business plays their part in improving standards," said Laura Phillips, Wal-Mart's merchandise manager over toys. "Parents need reassurance over quality and safety -we feel the very same way and will work night and day to help."

Employees have been trained to deal with the relaxed rules for toy returns to the store for refunds, said Geoffrey Webb, director of advertising for KB Toys.

"If a customer has a toy that they feel may be on the recall list, our store associates are here to help them clarify if the toy is on the list and assist them in return procedures," Webb said.

Parents remain watchful about toy choices.

"My children aren't young, but I still watch what toys they get," said Jennifer Hiatt, 43, Naples resident. "My children are 7 and 14, and I keep an eye on the gifts we buy them." ¦