- Norman Grindley/Staff Photographer
Three-year-old Lori-Ann Grossett tries out a Barbie Sport Jeep at Answers For Children in Tropical Plaza, Constant Spring.
AS MANY parents begin their hunt for the hottest toys to give their children this Christmas, the Bureau of Standards is now warning that there are several small toys coming out of China which may be potentially dangerous for children.
In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Alton Davis, senior scientific researcher, said several small toys being imported into the island have failed a number of safety tests administered by the Bureau recently.
Most of the toys have failed the 'drop test'. This means that if the toy should fall from a certain height it would splinter heavily, posing serious danger.
"These toys come mainly out of China," said Mr. Davis. "Dolls, some cars, play gyms. We looked at small toys that are for children over three years old. We looked at a doctor play set, a cement truck and a bike. We have found defects. Some of them can't stand the impact test, a lot of them failed the drop test."
Mr. Davis also pointed out that there are some toys, such as the stethoscope in the doctor's play sets which poses a high risk of strangulation for younger children. Some toys also had labelling problems which did not identify which age group the particular toy is suitable for.
"Parents may want to look out for some of these things. Some of these toys they are very attractive but they are not very strong. For the dolls, the hair on many of them is highly flammable and there are no labels indicating this. Labelling information should give the consumer information like this and the age range that the toy is suitable for," said Mr. Davis.
In a release on toy safety from the National Network for Child Care in the United States, parents are advised to look for good design and quality construction in the toys they buy.
They are also asked to watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points and to avoid toys that produce extremely loud noises that can damage hearing and those which propelled objects that can injure the eyes.
Other tips include: Avoiding toys that are too complex for young children. Many toys have a suggested age range to help parents choose toys that are appealing as well as safe.
Look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal on electrical toys. It indicates that the electrical parts have been tested for safety.
Vroom! Vroom!
Kids want hot cars too
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
'TIS THE season to get mobile and adults aren't the only ones searching for cars these days. Many children and their parents have been shopping around for toy vehicles which come as close to the real thing as possible.
But only those who can afford the most coveted toy cars which are bumping over $30,000 at some stores will be clapping their hands with glee this Christmas.
Store operators have been reporting climbing sales and queries of the usual dolls and cheaper toys cars but the envy of the playground will be channelled at the kid rolling in with the rechargeable battery operated 4x4 Wrangler jeep or kicking dust with a remote controlled Chevy Avalanche.
"These are hot right now," says Christine Lewis of Answers For Children in Tropical Plaza, Constant Spring. "Those big jeeps that go with the rechargeable batteries. Like the Silverado and the 4x4 Wrangler, the remote control Chevy Avalanche is also in hot demand this year."
Child's Play, another store which deals exclusively in selections for children also reported similar demands for the top end toy cars.
"We haven't gotten ours as yet but a number of people have been asking for the battery operated cars that the kids can get in and drive. We will have our stock, by now and Monday (tomorrow)," Charmaine Stewart a supervisor at the store.
At the Orange Street branch of the Bashco Trading Company in Kingston, warehouse supervisor, Joanette Smith told The Sunday Gleaner that toy cars are also in demand in that region but those are the variety between the $20-$250 price range.
