Special Reports

Caution For Babes In Toyland

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

November 21, 2000 / 9:59 AM EST / CBS

Toys are safer than in previous years, but hazardous items still can be found on store shelves, according to an annual report issued Tuesday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Thirty-four toys made PIRG's list this year, including 20 considered too dangerous for children three and under, reports CBS News Correspondent Cathy Moss.

Among the toys that PIRG, a Washington-based group, said were dangerous were erasers, jigsaw puzzles, makeup sets, balloons, plastic insects and salamanders, small plastic balls and marbles.

But toy manufacturers denounced the study as "pre-holiday toy-bashing."

"Any toy used improperly can be dangerous," said Pamela Johnston, spokeswoman for Toy Manufacturers of America.

PIRG's list is dominated by toys - balls, balloons and puzzles - that pose potential choking hazards to young children. Also on the list is one of the year's most popular toys: scooters.

"I don't think they're any more dangerous than anything else," said Robin Raffer, a mom.

But the fact is, there have been 26,000 injuries from scooters this year alone. And, unless you pad your kid from head to toe before they hop on, PIRG says avoid buying them this holiday season.

"Almost 85 percent of the injuries are to kids under 15 years old," warns consumer advocate Theresa Cassiack.

The TMA released its response to the PIRG report Tuesday, saying the annual report alarms "parents and gift-givers needlessly."

"Year after year, the U.S. government has tested toys placed on consumer groups' 'hit' lists only to discover that nearly all meet product safety standards," read a statement posted on the TMA Web site. " The bottom line is that any product that is misused can be considered 'potentially' dangerous. To suggest that a toy is 'potentially' dangerous when no real danger exists is irresponsible,"

Sixteen children died playing with toys in 1999 and nine of those were from choking. The annual PIRG "Trouble in Toyland" report also noted there were 152,600 emergency room visits for toy-related injuries in 1999.

But Johnston disputed the report, saying that a person who was injured after tripping over a toy left on the floor is counted as a toy-related injury.

The group claims the annual list, now in its 15th year, has resulted in the recall of 68 toys.

The PIRG report also issued a warning on toys made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), typically soft plastic toys made for children under the age of three.

The TMA attacked the watchdog group's claim that PVC plastics contain toxic chemicals that can damage the kidneys and liver.

"Peer-reviewed scientific research has established what the toy industry has maintained all along - that toys made with vinyl are safe," the TMA news release sad. " It has been in widespread use for close to half a century and is probably the most researched plastic in the world."

If you're a safety-conscious gift-buyer in need of pointers, the experts say a general rule is that you should question the warning labels. Just because it says it may be okay for a child of a certain age, that doesn't mean it's safe for your child. Also, another rule -- completely avoid unlabeled items in discount stores.

Experts say, as always, don't buy toys with small parts that could choke young children. With all the advice about things you shouldn't get, what should you buy in the stores these days?

You might want to take one woman's advice for a safe and happy holiday season. "I buy books."