Christmas is the peak time of the year for toy sales and thousands of new toys are placed in the hands of children by adults eager to make their holiday merry. How safe are these toys? Many are imported from countries with lax standards for product safety, particularly with regard to lead. Currently 90% of U.S. toys are made in China, which continues to produce toys with lead paint despite agreeing to stop the use of such paint.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is the federal agency responsible for protecting the American public from unreasonable risk of injury and death from consumer products. It is best known for the recall of products that violate safety standards and defects. Some of the recalls the past few months have dealt with toys and children’s apparel that pose a danger or hazard because of the way they are made. Some recent recalls are:

Girl’s Hooded Sweatshirts: The sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to young children. Manufactured in China.

Children’s Metal Pendants: The pendants contain high levels of lead. Manufactured in China.

Bicycles with EA30 Stems: The stem can crack and cause the rider to lose control. Manufactured in China.

Young Artist Easels: Chalkboard surface coating contains high levels of lead. Manufactured in China

Adventure Playsets Wooden Play Sets: The plastic coated lumber can weaken over time due to rotting of the whitewood resulting in a fall hazard. Manufactured in the U.S.

Wooden Toys: have small parts that can break and detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Manufactured in China.

Children’s Toys, Purses and Pen Cases: surface paint on the balancing toys and zippers of the purses and pen cases contain excessive levels of lead. Manufactured in China and Vietnam.

In August of 2008 President Bush signed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, which requires tougher product safety laws and places limits on the amount of lead in toys manufactured after February 10, 2009. All children’s products must be certified for compliance to standards based on third party testing of the product by accredited third party laboratories after that date.

The application of the Act for testing of all products resulted in protests from small businesses, crafters, and children’s garment makers who found the law confusing and detrimental to their business. Those who sold handmade toys and crafts questioned whether they would be required to test every metal snap on a garment or part on a toy for lead. Small businesses will be required to test all products sold to children under 12 years of age. Owners claim the third party testing would create an additional expense and force some out of business. The law initially made it illegal for anyone reselling children’s clothing or toys, such as thrift stores, if they did not meet the standards. This included individuals. However, the CPSC has since issued a clarification that exempts second hand sales from the testing requirement.

In January of this year the CPSC issued a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products. It stated: “Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.” This testing moratorium is in effect until Feb. 10, 2010. CPSC says it needs more time to issue guidance on testing requirements.

Here are some safety steps the CPSC says consumers can take while shopping this holiday season:

•Scooters and other Riding Toys: Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.

•Small Balls and other Toys with Small Parts: For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

•Balloons: Children can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep uninflated balloons away from children younger than eight years old. Discard broken balloons at once.

•Magnets: For children under age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

Once the gifts are open:

•Immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous play things.

•Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

•Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. •Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

For more information on product safety go to www.cpsc.gov.