Friday, September 14, 2007
Though millions of toys have been recalled because the paint they were decorated with contained dangerous lead, don't despair. There are plenty of safe and healthy games, dolls, blocks and figurines to offer the children in your life. Here's a quick guide:
The basics:
• Look for PVC- and phthalate-free plastics, like blocks from Brio, Ikea and Lego.
• Buy solid wood toys unfinished, or finished with linseed, walnut or other natural oil, and clothed in fabrics using natural dyes.
• Use beeswax instead of clays and colored doughs.
• Purchase from local toy manufacturers who can certify they followed U.S. environmental, health and safety regulations during toy manufacture.
Some companies to consider:
Nova Natural - Dollhouses, arts and crafts, wooden figures, castles and ramps, boats and chalk, wooden kitchens
Holgate - Color cones, lacing beads, Bingo bed, stools, finger puppets
Peapods - Alphabet blocks, wooden cameras, art easels, games
Nuno Organic - Organic cotton teddy bears, nontoxic crayons and paints, wooden cars, games and jigsaw puzzles
Whittle Shorline Railroad - Toy trucks, buses and trains, including the Little Engine That Could
Maple Landmark Toys - Checkers, Chinese checkers, wooden solitaire, dominoes and brainteasers
Natural Pod - Wooden bikes and toys, musical instruments, arts and crafts, children's jewelry, and "imaginative play" silks and shapes
Imagiplay — Cardboard blocks, Noah's Ark, African safari animals, and "Zoom to the Moon" portable rocket ship
Hugg-a-planet — Colorful cloth balls big enough to hug imprinted with the continents and other images
Green Toys - Tea sets, sand toys, cookware and dining sets made from bioplastic, a corn and starch resin
Baby Bunz - Race cars, teething toys, rattles, dolls, rainbow cones, beads and blocks made from non-toxic plastics and wood
What to know more? Visit the toys page of Big Green Purse.
Get the lead out
Go to Mattel's Web site to make sure you've returned any toys that may pose a hazard to your child. If you're worried about other play things, buy a testing kit from LeadCheck. LeadCheck Swabs are non-hazardous and provide a rapid, sensitive and specific test for leachable lead. While you're at it, you can test wall paint, ceramics, vinyl lunch boxes, and miniblinds, too - all products that occasionally are contaminated.
Drop us a line and let us know if you find other safe toys you'd recommend.
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