COLUMN

How Do You Explain Recalls To A Child?

By VICTORIA LIM

Published: Aug 19, 2007

For the second time in as many weeks, Mattel asked consumers to give up millions of toys that could put children at risk.

The potential for magnets to detach and the potential for lead poisoning led to this latest round of recalling more than 9 million toys in the United States.

Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, called toy recalls "emotional." As a child-safety advocate for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, Stefanie Alt said she can understand that characterization.

"It could be emotional, especially for a child, because they sometimes can really bond with a toy, whether it's a stuffed animal or something that gives them comfort. It puts them in a safety zone," Alt said.

Helping A Child Understand

So how can you take away a play thing you know could put your child at risk without causing the child too much emotional trauma? Alt suggested giving the child options while explaining it's not the character the toy represents that is the problem.

"Explain that the people who made the toy made a mistake, and explain to them what they need to do is pick out a new toy to replace the toy you have to take away," Alt said.

How much the child will understand depends on his or her age.

Offering an immediate replacement can be a good strategy.

"Distraction with a new toy is always a good thing," Alt said.

As you offer up that distraction, the safety council said the best habit parents can start is to become avid "label readers" of toys. Age appropriateness and warnings about small parts that can become choking hazards are aspects to look for.

Even if there are no warnings, Alt recommends flipping toys over and looking for wheels that can become loose and small accessories (think Barbie shoes) that can easily become detached or broken off.

Before buying, do some research. Hit the Internet to find out whether a toy has already been recalled. When looking at recall information, pay close attention to model numbers and dates.

Alt uses car seats as an example. "Sometimes, recalls on a particular car seat made from 2003-04, for example, are recalled. But the 2005-06 models are different and don't have problems. Many recalls are date specific," she said.

Sen. Nelson's Proposal

Even before this latest batch of recalled toys, Sen. Bill Nelson proposed the Children's Product Safety Act of 2007, which would ban imported children's products for ages 5 and younger that aren't tested and certified by an independent group before lining store shelves in the United States.

"We can sit here all day and discuss improved methods to recall these toys," the Florida Democrat said in a prepared statement. "But the most important thing we can do is make sure they don't get here in the first place."

If you would like to share your comments or experiences with recalled toys with Nelson's office, call (202) 224-5274 or go to billnelson .senate.gov/contact/email.cfm.

The toys from this recall, the one from two weeks ago and four others in the past six months, were made in China. Even with that link, Alt stopped short of encouraging consumers to toss out or avoid any product made in China.

"That's a personal choice if you only go buy [based on] where it's made from. But from a safety standpoint, make sure you're keeping up with recalls. And when in doubt about it, don't use it," she said.

Keyword: Consumer, for the list of recalled toys and contact information for Mattel.