Toy Safety Surveys

My wife and I don't have kids but we have tons of nephews and nieces for whom we have to buy toys at this time of year.

The usual pattern of buying goes like this. I think of something I think is really cool for a certain kid and I get all excited and call up my sister or brother with the news. Of course, they immediately tell me to curb my enthusiasm because the toy I have in mind is dangerous for any number of reasons: a) someone might choke on it b) someone might poke someone's eye out with it or c) someone will use it to murder his little brother or sister d) someone will get electrocuted by it.

Well, thank God for government and NGO safety reports!

The reports come from both sides of the border.

• Award-Winning Toys 2006: The best known toy report in Canada comes from the Toy Testing Council of Canada which has been testing toys since the early 1950s, evaluating their design, durability, safety and something called "play value". The testing is done by placing hundreds of different toys with a families for eight weeks. Kids - the experts - help to rate the toys.
• Trouble in Toyland - The 20th Annual Survey of Toy Safety: This annual survey of toy safety from the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups in the United States "provides safety guidelines for parents when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards." The report discusses choking and strangulation hazards, toys that could cause hearing loss, and toys that could expose children to hazardous chemicals. It outlines many of the safety standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Industry Guide to Canadian Safety Requirements for Toys and Related Products: This guide from Health Canada "provides an overview of Canadian toy safety legislation for industry members. It conveys basic information on the legislation, as well as details on the requirements that address specific hazards associated with children's toys".
• Hazardous Products (Toys) Regulations: Toys that make it to market in Canada have to adhere to the federal government's Hazardous Products Act and its associated regulations.
• Top Toys 2005: The December 2005 issue of Today's Parent magazine contains its annual list of recommended toys. "Discovered, constructed, gummed, driven, dressed and combed by our testing kids, approved by moms and dads, here are the best toys on the market for kids at every age."