Auditor General DePasquale Calls for Stronger Efforts to Keep Unsafe Toys Off of Store Shelves, Urges Parents to be Vigilant

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published November 21, 2018 5:22 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on Tuesday hosted PennPIRG for the release of its 33rd annual Trouble in Toyland report on toys that could pose hazards to children, and called for renewed efforts to quickly get dangerous toys out of stores.

“Keeping Pennsylvania’s children safe has long been my priority. As parents begin their holiday shopping, I urge them to look beyond the fun packaging and carefully consider what’s inside the box,” DePasquale said. “Parents should also check to see if any toys they already own have been subject to a safety recall.”

The U.S. PIRG Education Fund tested 40 toys for this year’s report and found 15 with safety issues including high concentrations of unsafe chemicals and potential choking hazards. The tested toys represent only a small sampling of the thousands of toys available for sale online or in stores. Over the decades, the group’s testing has led to more than 150 toy recalls and other regulatory actions.

“No one should worry about whether or not the toy they’re buying is toxic or dangerous. But in 2018, we’re still finding hazards in some of the most popular toys. Toy manufacturers must do better to ensure their products are safe before they end up in children’s hands and mouths,” said Reuben Mathew of PennPIRG.

Toy safety standards are enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has announced more than 40 recalls of toys and children’s products over the past year. Because manufacturers are not required to inform the public how many toys were returned or repaired, it’s is impossible to know how many of them might still be in homes.

DePasquale noted that whenever a toy or children’s product is recalled, state law should require that these potentially unsafe items be quickly removed from sale.

“When I served in the state House, I introduced legislation to require dangerous toys to be promptly taken off of store shelves. It’s still a good idea and I will be calling on the General Assembly in January to act on common-sense legislation to protect our children,” he added.

Beyond toys that could pose physical risks, this year’s Trouble in Toyland report includes interactive, internet-connected electronic toys that could present privacy concerns.

PennPIRG is the Pennsylvania affiliate of U.S. PIRG, a federation of independent, state-based, citizen-funded organizations that advocate for the public interest. To review the 2018 report,
visit www.ToySafetyTips.org.

Visit the Department of the Auditor General online at www.paauditor.gov.

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