Melissa & Doug Folding Princess Castle – Review and Giveaway
Well, it is that time of year. I don’t know about your kids, but my kids are asking for everything for Christmas that they see advertised. And almost all of them are plastic and commercially branded. Not particularly inspiring for imaginative play and not particularly earth friendly. So, when I was approached to do a [...]
A Schleich Mommy Party & Giveaway
If you read this blog regularly, you will know that I rarely do reviews. But when I was asked if I wanted to participate in Schleich mommy party by MomSelect, I said yes. I’ll explain why in a second, but before I do, I want to disclose that I participated through MomSelect and Schleich generously [...]
CPSC Extends CPSIA Lead Content Testing and Certification for another year!
I haven’t had time to digest this yet but I had to post that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to extend the lead content testing and certification stay for an additional year, or until 2/10/11. This should provide welcome relief to many, many manufacturers. This means while children’s products must meet the [...]
Good Guide Admits Used Wrong Test for Zhu Zhu; CPSC Finds No Violation
After I took a bunch of flack for raising concerns about Good Guide’s testing of a Zhu Zhu Pet and its applicability given that the applicable US standard is for soluble antimony, not total, I feel vindicated. Completely. Today, the Good Guide issued a press release admitting that it used the wrong test to compare its [...]
Zhu zhu pets, antimony, the Good Guide and misleading the public
I have to say I’m more than a little upset about the recent publicity the Good Guide has achieved with its press release claiming that one of this year’s hottest toys – Zhu Zhu pets – contain dangerous levels of antimony. I mean, I want to support an effort like The Good Guide – giving the [...]
Countdown to Christmas: Green Gift Ideas
Despite Black Friday and even Cyber Monday, the first day of December can be eye-opening if you haven’t started getting ready for Christmas or any of the holidays celebrated at this time of year. If you haven’t bought or made a single present yet, you still have some time. Not much but some. And I’ve [...]
5 Simple Steps for Summer Toy Safety
School is almost out and the lazy days of summer are here. Well, perhaps lazy isn’t accurate if you are a mom – summer can just mean listening to whines of “I’m so boooored” (drawn out as only a child can do) or schlepping from one activity to the next. But summer should be about [...]
Animalz Toys – Organic Maple – at Target
Well, I just got back from shopping at Target and was surprised to find Animalz in the Toy section. Animalz are natural wooden anmals made from organic maple at a pretty good price point. I picked up the horse for my nephew for $5.99. Target had toys from the Safari line and the Farm line. [...]
New round of toy recalls for lead paint – what’s a parent to do?
That's hard to say. It is certain that lead can cause brain damage, lowering IQs and causing developmental delays, amont other health effects. Very high levels of lead can cause death, such as a child swallowing a lead jewelry charm (as unfortunately happened last year). Recent health studies have demonstrated that even low blood lead levels [...]
Getting Real About Risk – Thinking Outside The Toxic Toy Box
September 23, 2007 by admin
Filed under Environmental Health, Kids, Toys
Everybody is concerned about lead on toys, but lead exposure is more likely from other sources. So you have to think outside the toy box if you want to reduce lead exposure. First, figure out whether you may have lead paint where you live or where your child spends a significant amount of time (grandma’s [...]
