My daughter, Shannon, is especially mindful of which products she buys for my grandson, Connor. So much has been reported in the media about lead-based paint on toys, choking hazards, magnets, fabrics that lack fire-retardant qualities and other unsafe products being imported from China that one would think our government had by now taken the necessary steps to protect our children from potential harm. Yet we continue to discover more unsafe products reaching our stores and ultimately our homes. Adding to parents’ frustration is buying toys not listed on any recall list only to find them later recalled.
So why didn’t our government immediately place an embargo on imports from China, at least until they could prove to us that they were safe? Well, the answer lies entwined in the whole “world market” and “free trade” concepts to which our government seems so deeply committed. And there doesn’t seem to be any rush to slow that runaway train. So it’s up to us to protect ourselves. In the end, I suppose everything is up to us, isn’t it?
Shannon points to an article that may offer some help and asked that I share it here. It includes links to ToysMadeInAmerica, a site providing 136 links to other sites purported to sell only toys made in America, and howtobuyamerican which offers information about how to buy other products reported to be made in America. And for a self-reported list of products made in Europe, visit moolka or maukilo, two online retailers that boast an extensive selection of European-made products for children of all ages, including a variety of jewelry.
If you’ve checked the CPSC’s recall list but are concerned that toys deemed safe today may be subsequently recalled, long after your child has played with them, then buying “Made in America” may be your best protection.