Wisconsin group highlights toy hazards in annual report

A stuffed dinosaur that roars too loudly and a wooden shape sorter with pieces too small are just two of the toys highlighted in the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group’s annual Trouble in Toyland report released Tuesday.

"We are making progress on reducing toy hazards, especially with the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008," said WISPIRG director Bruce Speight. "But we still have work to do both to reduce hazards and to restore consumer confidence in the products we buy in the wake of the recalls of 2007 and 2008."

The group focused on three categories of toy hazards: toys that may pose choking hazards, toys that are excessively loud and toys that contain toxic chemicals.

Toys intended for children under three are banned by the federal government if they contain small parts or easily break. Two such toys on this year’s list are Creative Wood Stacking Rings made by Zaidy products and Real Wood Shape Sorter Barn made by P&C Enterprise.

Hand-held, table-top, floor and crib toys should not produce continuous sound that exceeds 85 decibels when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters, the report said. Excessively loud toys on this year’s list include Mattel’s Secret Saturdays Cryptid Claw and Playskool’s Kota and Pals Stompers Triceratops.

Toys containing potentially toxic lead include Priddy Books’ Touch and Feel Cloth Book and Claire’s Alligator Cell Phone Charm.

Elisabeth Berkelman, 36, of Madison, used to own a cloth Priddy Book and was surprised by the news that one of the company’s products was unsafe. She worries not only about lead in her children’s toys, but also about her sons - ages 17 months and 4 - putting small items in their mouths.

Berkelman said most of her children’s toys are gifts or hand-me-downs and she often doesn’t take the time to go online and make sure each toy is safe.

"I rely on other people to do that," she said. "I absolutely value that."