December 11, 2014 -- As the holidays approach, “Tis the season” to go shopping -- for an array of gifts for family and friends. Parents search for the newest, most demanded toys on their children’s “Wish List.”
December is not only one of the busiest months for the nation’s consumers, but it is also National Safe Toys and Gifts Month.
When it comes to buying toys for their own and as gifts for other youngsters, most parents are safety conscious in the vast selections on today’s market.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has ramped up its safety warnings to shoppers of children’s toys this season, according to information posted on the website www.child-familyservices.org/december-is-national-safe-toys-and-gifts-month/.
The CPSC has created a robust toy safety system, by requiring testing by independent, third party testing laboratories around the world; enforcing stringent lead and phthalates limits for toys; imposing some of the most stringent toy standards in the world; and stopping violative and dangerous toys at the ports and in the marketplace before they reach children’s hands. These combined efforts continue to foster the confidence of American families as they prepare to shop for toys this holiday season, the website indicated.
While inspecting several toys at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s, Marine Corps Exchange, recently, Gunnery Sgt. Albert Battle discussed his safety concerns for various toys he has purchased for his children.
“My (youngest) child is 6-years-old and she doesn’t generally try to take her toys apart,” Battle said. “However, when I do buy toys for her, I make sure that it does not have a sharp edge or that is does not come apart. I try to insure that it is structurally sound.
“On the other hand, I have a 7-year-old son, who breaks everything so with him I have to be very careful what I buy him,” Battle added. “I have made certain that it is durable and if it’s not very durable then it is something that won’t hurt him. I try to stay away from sharp edges.”
Other parents commented on the value that safety plays for toys they are considering buying for their children this month.
Terrell Roundtree, father of a 16-year-old, a 12-year-old and a 2-year-old, who came to the MCX to “start” his Christmas shopping, spoke about safety concerns for his children and are within their age ranges.
“Today, I’m looking for educational toys for my 2-year-old daughter,” Roundtree said. “This tablet, for example, is (advertised as being) the safest tablets for kids. I want to check out the features that it has as far as protecting her. We have an iPad at home with sharper edges and this one has the rubbery type edges so that she can’t hurt herself.
“I always look for safety first whenever I buy things for my kids – things that are within their prescribed age range,” the father of three added. “Even with my older sons, I try to make sure the games that I buy for them are not too mature for them and they’re not any of the warfighting games and things of that nature.”