Tell 'Em to Clean Up Those Toys!

We Urban Mamas have a lot of good ideas for not buying toys from China, heading straight to Spielwerk and never looking back, and testing our kids (and their toys!) for lead.  All excellent, pro-active steps to cope with this problem right here at home.  We can of course also demand that someone step in to prevent this from happening over and over again.  Moms Rising has prepared a petition for you to sign to let Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) know that we're not pleased with this trend of allowing toxic toys onto store shelves in the U.S.  Two bills have been introduced recently to address the issue: one expands the CPSC and the other requires third-party testing of products for young children.  Just click here to sign and send the Moms Rising petition. 

But I was thinking... that this makes me mad enough that sending a quick e-mail may not be enough.  What if we send our used toxic toys to Congress instead of our garbage cans?   That's right, box 'em up and send them to our very own U.S. Representative(s) - to let them know how important this is, to make it clear that this recall should be the last.  I don't have any, myself, but would be willing to host a drop off on my front porch and send them along with a note.  Waddya think?  Is an e-mail enough?   

Comments

[olivia]

I think it's an awesome idea. I'll drop off some toys on your porch if we have a critical mass of interest!

[urbanMamas]

Thanks Andrea for passing on this info:

"Wanted to let all the concerned mamas out there know that they can get their toys (whether on the recent recall lists or not) tested for lead-based paint for free on Friday from 1-3 pm at the Community Energy Project (422 NE Alberta). There will also be free blood lead testing available with the results available immediately."

For more info: http://www.communityenergyproject.org/lead/

[Lisa]

Mattel recall info:
NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/business/15toys-web.html?ex=1345003200&en=67322d18b1dbef20&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Mattel web site: http://www.mattel.com/safety/us/

[olivia]

I thought I'd post info from a recent MomsRising ( http://www.momsrising.org ) e-letter regarding all the recalls:

* Coverage in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/business/worldbusiness/15imports.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

* Bib Recall information: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/business/15lead.html

* CPSC Info on the Fisher-Price recall: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07257.html

* CBS News story on Fisher-Price recall: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/01/national/main3124623_page2.shtml

* Center for Disease Control web site about lead poisoning: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/about.htm

* List of recalled children's products: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html

Momsrising is collecting signatures for a petition to let Congress know we think legislation to prevent lead in our toys is important....