Exec Says Remove Unsafe Children's Products

Since the massive recalls in the summer of 2007, the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB) has continued to raise awareness about consumer product safety, calling on consumers and retailers to remove potentially unsafe and out-of-date products from the stream of commerce, in both primary and secondary markets. Today, the CPB is commending Toys "R" Us, Inc., and its participating suppliers, for launching its “Great Trade-In Program” to help remove unsafe items from homes, community centers, the marketplace and other locations.

The incentive program sets a good example of how retailers can make a difference in our efforts to help keep children safe by raising awareness and offering consumers the occasion to drop off their no-longer-safe-for-use items at their Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide. According to a spokesperson at Toys “R” Us, the unsafe items will then be shipped to distribution centers where they will be destroyed. The program is also offering a limited-time bonus in the form of 20%-off coupons that can be used for the purchase of items produced by participating manufacturers, subject to certain restrictions.

Older cribs, car seats, and other durable infant and toddlers products often do not meet the most current safety requirements and in some cases may be subject to a safety recall. The CPB encourages consumers to check recall lists regularly, either through the CPB web site at www.nysconsumer.gov, or at the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) web site at www.recalls.gov, to be sure the products they use are not on a recall list. Older items which no longer meet updated safety standards should be safely discarded.

Since the Toys “R” Us trade-in program is accepting older/used and potentially unsafe items from all manufacturers, we are encouraging consumers to consider availing themselves of this convenient opportunity. While participating in the program may save consumers any costs and trouble associated with the disposal of these out-dated items, more importantly it helps them avoid the likelihood of problems arising as a result of passing them on to friends, family or to second-hand stores. Thus, “Carpe Res Rei” or “Seize the Item” and bring it in to the Toys “R” Us nearest to you.

As the New York State designee to the CPSC, the CPB conducts recall effectiveness sweeps to monitor the removal of recalled toys from store shelves. We are seizing this opportunity to once again call on consumers to be vigilant and keep children out of harm’s way by reviewing the items they own and returning or destroying those that are not safe.

The value of participating in this or other programs that may be initiated as a result of this program is worth much more than the offered coupon or discount, since peace of mind that comes from doing the right thing is priceless.

By Deborah Sturm Rausch
NY Consumer Protection Board
www.consumer.state.ny.us