Operation Bob

Christmas is fast approaching and lots of friends and family want to give cool gifts to the baby.  As a freelance writer, I’ve done more than one story on the lead paint issue with imported toys and seen almost daily recalls from the CPSC for one toy or another being recalled for containing excessive lead levels.  Having this knowledge we’ve been trying to help everyone figure out what toys are safe, and what is off limits.

It seems the vast majority of the recalls are for toys manufactured in China.  The CPSC restricts the use of lead paint on toys and other things produced in the USA, so our best advice has been to make sure whatever they buy is made in the USA - not just imported by a US company.  The other, but more tricky, way to stay safe is to avoid toys that may have any paint used on them.  When you start to look closely it’s surprising just how many toys have some paint somewhere on them. 

In the midst of all this safety screening, I have to wonder just how big of a deal it really is.  When I was a kid, they were just figuring out that lead was a problem and everything from house paint to toys was loaded with the stuff.  Yet, I turned out relatively OK.  But, the bottom line is that we love our kids and will do anyting possible to protect them from something harmful - even if that means there won’t be a See And Say this year.  Darn, I love that toy too!