How many more poisonous toys will parents have to endure before quality is improved and recalls are stopped? At this point, we have no idea. 2007 was a year filled with stress for parents of young children, with the Aquabeads recall, warnings about magnets in toys, and the continual anxiety of not knowing whether that red toy is tainted with lead or not. Parents have a hard enough job without the additional worry of what we once took for granted: the safety of our children when they are playing under our supervision.

What We Saw In 2007’s Toys

The big toy news in 2007 was lead paint and lead content. In America and most Western countries, lead paint has been illegal for decades, and though older buildings sometimes still have lead paint on walls, we had grown complacent about the things we buy in stores. We count on manufacturers and retailers to sell us quality items that are safe for all intended purposes – like going into a baby’s mouth.

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I was just looking at one of these last  Christmas to put away for my sons upcoming birthday. It is unfortunate they are being recalled. While there have been no injuries reported, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall with the firm below of the Play Wonder Toy Barbecue Grill.  The circular ash tray on the picture to the right could pose a laceration hazard. Consumers are urged to take these away from children immediately and return them to Target for a refund.

About 2300 units of this product are affected. Target of Minneapolis, MN distributes this product and Schylling of Royley, Mass is the manufacturer. These units were sold at Target nationwide from December 2006 to February 2007.

If you have any questions you can get more detail at the target website www.target.com, or call 1-800-440-0680 Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6pm CT.

This recall alert affects various Thomas and Friends™ wooden railway components and vehicles. According to the U.S .Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1.5 million units are affected with this recall sold from January 2005 through June 2007.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with RC2 Corp issued a recall due to lead in the surface paint of these products. Lead ingested by children can have adverse side affects.

Unless others instructed consumers should stop using these products immediately. For full information on the recall, including exactly which products, and for a return form, you can visit: http://recalls.rc2.com/recalls_Wood_0607.html or call RC2 Corp toll-free at 866-725-4407 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday or Friday from 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. CT.

You can also read more about the recall at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Photo copyright Consumer Product Safty Commission

This is a recall alert for the Rainforest Open Top Take-Along Swing.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there have been 60 reports of this with "cuts, bumps, bruises and red marks" occurring. If you have this product please stop using it immediately. Small infants and babies have been caught between the seat and the frame.

You can contact Fisher-Price at 888-303-5631, or visit their recall page on their website here. When you contact them they will let you know what you will need to do to replace the swing and get a voucher for a free replacement item.

Photo copyright Consumer Product Safty Commission