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.  [...]