Q: Each year toys are recalled because of safety issues. How do I avoid recalled toys?
A: The toy industry spends an estimated $300 million a year on safety testing and inspection of toys, and about 3 billion toys are sold in America each year that were manufactured in the previous year.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, less than 20 percent of recalled toys make it back to the manufacturer for proper disposal or repair.
The hot topic this holiday season for many parents and relatives of children is a trust issue – brands and what toys can I trust? There is plenty of reliable information available about toy recalls, and the BBB urges everyone who will be giving or donating toys this year to take a few minutes and become a safe toy shopper.
TOY RECALL HOT LINES• Consumer Products Safety Commission: 800-638-2772• Toy Industry Association: 888-888-4TOYS• Mattel: 800-916-4498• Fisher-Price: 800-991-2444