Buyer Beware When Shopping For Children
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Shopping to satisfy a child's taste isn't always easy, but it shouldn't be too hard to shop and keep them safe.
November is Children's Product Safety Awareness Month and Steve Lee, New Jersey's acting director of the division of consumer affairs, suggests before heading to the store go on-line and find out what's been recalled.
"Some stores, inadvertently, don't take those items off the shelves," Lee says. "That's something that the division of consumer affairs does. We do spot checks to make sure that recalled toys have been pulled off shelves, but parents should just be aware independently, they shouldn't just trust the stores to do what they're supposed to do."
And Lee cautions recalled toys aren't the only things to keep an eye on.
"Items such as nightlights that could cause shocks to children, watches that might be hazardous because of toxins, there are items like that used in everyday life that aren't just toys that could be unsafe." he says. "Parents should check not only what toys have been recalled but check what everyday items have been recalled."
When buying toys, make sure they are age appropriate and read any warning labels on the packaging.