The best protection for your child is an informed and vocal parent or caregiver. Find your inner advocate and let it out! An excellent example of the importance of staying informed is apparent in many of 2007’s headlines. The year 2007 has been one of alerts and recalls by toy manufacturers whose products are produced outside of the United States. The media has provided a deluge of information on this topic, particuarly in relation to lead content. The website for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the following information about lead injestion in children:
· lead is most dangerous to children under six
· lead can affect virtually every body system including the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system
· high levels of lead can cause coma, convulsions, and death
· low levels can result in decreased intelligence and impaired development, growth and hearing.
· lead poisoning often has no distinguishable symptoms so it is difficult to diagnose.
So, as parents and caregivers of young children, what can we do?
We can be proactive and take the initiative.
· Ensure your child is not putting anything (toy, book, jewelry, paint chips, dirt, etc.) in his or her mouth that has been recalled, may be contaminated (like the soil on property where the exterior of the home was painted with lead-based paint) or has been passed down through generations. Lead guidelines are more stringent today than in past decades.
· If you suspect lead poisoning, consult with a doctor IMMEDIATELY to confirm, and initiate safety measures (as recommended by your doctor).
· Stay current with global news and visit websites that provide consumers with the information needed to protect their children.
Following is a list of sites where you can START your search. It is by NO MEANS complete! If you discover an exceptionally informative site that should be brought to the attention of the Miss Gigi-Mae™ community, please post it to our blog so we can pass your resource on to others.
www.cdc.gov: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ to learn about their Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
www.cpsc.gov: Consumer Product Safety Commission
www.astratoy.org: American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
www.jpma.org: Juvenile Products Manufacturer’s Association
www.astm.org: Testing Standards Association
www.toy-tia.com: Toy Industry Association
www.toy-tma.org: Toy Manufacturers of America
www.epa.gov: Environmental Protection Agency
www.greenpeace.org: Greenpeace
www.sierraclub.com: Sierra Club
The sites listed above are not solely focused on lead content guidelines. For example, www.cpsc.gov is the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an organization that oversees the toy and juvenile products industries. In addition to being an excellent resource for many safety topics beyond lead content, they provide consumers with recommended safety guidelines, tips for keeping our children safe, and a place to report unsafe products. |
