Where is My Child's Toy Made? My Daughter's American Girl was Made in . . .

I was surprised today when I received in the mail by daughter's new American Girl Elizabeth Doll. This is our first purchase of American Girl products and when I went to enter the doll into my SmartToyChoice.com account, I noticed the doll was MADE IN CHINA.

You can find out where some of your children's favorite toys are made by going to the Toy Information page at www.SmartToyChoice.com (or click here http://www.smarttoychoice.com/index.php?action=Toy%20Information) and searching on the toy name or manufacturer. The toys we have in our system will list the country they were made in. Interesting to see where Barbie's, Transformer's, and Lego's are made!

Toy Recall Affects Even the "Natural" Toy Companies

Today Earthentree of Kirkland, Washington recalled 13 different wooden toys due to choking hazard, strangulation hazard and violating the federal rattle standard. This company's website advertises that they offer natural wooden toys that are safe, lead free and handmade. While this is great and I applaud, today is a reminder that even the safest companies can run into a manufacturing problem that leads to a recall.

Earthentree recalled the following wooden toys made in India and sold between December 2007 and May 2008:

Large and Small Maracas

Pom Pom Rail Train

Duby and Duba Pull Toy

Duby Duck Pull Toy

Katerpillar Pull Toy

Kiddo

Rattleman

Six Ring Rattle

Turtle Family Pull Toy

Cat Rattle

Bear Rattle

Tutto Turtle Pull Toy

Choo Choo Train

Close to One Million Remote Controlled Helicopters Recalled This Year Due to Fire and Burn Dangers

Yesterday the CPSC recalled the Sky Scrambler and Sharper Image Wireless Indoor Helicopters due to fire and burn dangers. This makes close to one million remote controlled helicopters recalled this year due to the rechargeable batteries overheating and posing a fire hazard. Some customers hands have even been burnt once the fire started. This is up from the 332,000 remote controlled vehicles recalled in 2007 and 243,000 in 2006. All of the 2008 remote controlled helicopters were made in China.

The 2008 Recalled Helicopters include the following:
Sky Scrambler
Sharper Image Helicopter
Sky Champion (sold at Walgreens)
AT600 Falcon by Hobby Lobby
and Fun2Fly Microcopter

Update on June 20th Post about New Leap Frog Tag Learning System

After driving 17 hours on a trip recently with my children, I thought they would love the new Leap Frog Tag Reading System - unfortunately, the DVD player won out. Of all the books I bought to go with the Tag system, the National Geographic Cards received the most attention. My two year old enjoyed hearing the animal sounds and my five year old loved hearing about the animal. She was fascinated by the Tasmanian devil. Maybe on the next trip the books will be more interesting than the movies.

My other purchase for the trip, the Snack and Play Travel Tray was a success. It allowed the two year old to hold his toys on his lap and eat without spilling. It was very easy to set up too. My five year old borrowed it to use for coloring and we have since ordered her one of her own for our next trip.

More Than 500,000 Units of Children's Jewelry Recalled Today Due to Lead

The CPSC recalled more than 500,000 units of children's jewelry today due to excessive lead. The recalls affected the following:

• Faded Glory Lip Gloss, Locket and Bracelet Sets sold at Wal-Mart in 2008 (30,000 units)
• Super Dooper Charms and Shoelace Charms Craft Kits sold since 2007 (18,500 units)
• the necklace included in the Magical Ballet Slippers Book sold since 2003 (500,000 units)

All of the jewelry items were made in China.

Oh Chute Parachute and Streamer Fireworks Recalled

Oh Chute Parachute and Streamer Fireworks were recalled by the CPSC today. The parachutes can become entangled in overhead power lines causing a shock hazard to users and bystanders. More than 80,000 of the fireworks have been sold at fireworks stands between April 2007 and June 2008.

Fireworks Over America has received one report of entanglement, in which a consumer’s hand was burned and shocked.

Youth Beds Sold at Costco Result in Toddler Death

Today the CPSC issued a recall for the Lajolla Boat Bed and Pirates of the Caribbean Twin Trundle Beds as a result of the death of a 22 month old boy. The toddler was strangled when the lid of the toy chest fell on the back of his head and trapped his neck on the edge of the LaJolla Boat Bed.

These beds were sold at Costco stores, Costco.com and furniture retail stores from January 2006 to May 2008. Owners can contact Bayside at 877-494-2536 or http://www.baysidefurnishings.com/ to receive a free repair kit with replacement lid supports.