Group launches ‘safe toys’ drive

MANILA, Philippines - A group launched a campaign yesterday to remind the public to buy toys that are safe for children as Christmas gifts.

“Many consumers, more often than not, make a knee-jerk purchase based on the attractiveness, color, packaging and price of a toy, without paying attention to safety details,” said EcoWaste Coalition’s Thony Dizon.

To assist consumers in selecting harmless toys, the group advised gift-givers to buy age-appropriate, well-made, injury-free, labeled and registered toys. 

Dizon said among other common toy hazards include  loose or small parts that may be ingested and bring about breathing difficulties or choking; pointed or sharp edges that may injure the eyes or cause cuts and grazes; cords or string longer than 12 inches that may pose strangulation risk; and hazardous chemicals such as lead in paint and phthalates in polyvinyl chloride plastic that may result in health and developmental problems.

The group said its members bought 50 toys, ranging in cost from P10 to P150, from various stores in Divisoria, Manila from Nov. 27 to 29.

It said 20 of the 50 toys were found to contain lead above 90 parts per million, the limit for lead in paint under Department of Environment and Natural Resources rules.