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Child Safety Tops Parents' Wish List

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

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TAMPA - Santa has a new list to check twice this year, and it's full of recalls.

The 2007 holiday shopping season starts before dawn Friday, with more anxiety than ever.

Adding to the pressure of finding the gifts that holiday memories are made of, parents are increasingly concerned about safety — especially of toys made in China. They worry that this year's must-haves will end up on the government's rapidly growing list of recalled toys.

Instead of grabbing and paying, many will spend time searching packages for "Made in China" labels. Store clerks will be armed with binders, full of photos and details of the 104 toys, trinkets and children's products recalled since June.

"I've had parents go as far as to say they won't buy toys this Christmas," said Lisa Hopen, co-owner of Learning Express at Westchase. The independently owned toy store compiled a list of products it carries made anywhere but China.

That nation — where nearly 80 percent of all toys are manufactured — earned its bad reputation this summer as millions of products such as Easy-Bake Ovens, wooden Thomas the Tank Engine trains, Elmo dolls and Barbies were linked to toxic lead paint or injuries.

The majority of the toy recalls came months ago, but retailers fear the effect on the holiday shopping season in a year in which U.S. retail holiday sales could be the lowest since 2002. A recent America's Research Group poll found that 67 percent of shoppers said they want to steer clear of Chinese-made toys this year. Even more said they would gladly pay more for a toy made in the United States.

"We absolutely want to see their eyes light up, but we also want their eyes to open up," said Alison Rhodes, children's health and safety expert and author of SafetyMom.com. "You may have to be a hard parent."

Wish lists may go unfilled, and shoppers willing to make the extra effort to avoid Chinese-produced products must commit extra time and money to find alternatives.

"Most children today are over-indulged, particularly at the holidays. This is an opportunity to do them a service and teach them they can't get everything," social psychologist Susan Newman said.

"Sure, you've got an upset 8-year-old, but it's an opportunity to teach them to be a better consumer."

Most retailers have removed the recalled products — including Aqua Dots. The craft toy, which made Wal-Mart's top holiday toy list, was found to contain chemicals creating effects similar to GHB, a date-rape drug, when ingested.

And retailers from Toys R Us to mom-and-pop shops are compiling lists of American- and European-made toys to help shoppers. Mindworks, a Tampa-based airport retailer, has placed American flag stickers on products made in the United States.

"We know that some parents will still be uncomfortable buying toys made in China, and I've heard that discussion quite a bit. …We have plenty of alternatives," said Jerry Storch, chief executive officer of the 485 U.S. Toys R Us Stores. His stores feature products from 30 countries.

The stress of all this shopping could be for naught, said Newman, author of "Little Things, Long Remembered: Making Your Child Feel Special Every Day." Her research shows that toys are not the longest-lasting gift.

"Parents invest so much energy, money and angst in what they give their children," she said. "But when you ask young adults about their holiday memories, it's not about the toy … it's about being together."

Instead of seeing this holiday season as an opportunity to teach children about simple, smart purchases, Newman worries that parents wary of Chinese products will buckle and be afraid to say no to the wish list.

"Parents are afraid to take a stand. They're afraid their child won't like them, … but your job as a parent is to set limits and about making choices," she said.

Most toy retailers, including Storch of Toys R Us, say toys on the shelves today are likely safer than a year ago. Recalls mean manufacturers are conducting more safety tests, Storch said.

Still, Hopen, the toy store co-owner and a mother of three, understands the conflict. She has dealt with the recalls, including Thomas the Tank Engine, her 22-month-old son's favorite. She, like other parents, still buys the product and expects the toymaker has improved its safety.

"I feel the frustration every time we get another recall," she said. "At the same time, I know how much children love that brand.

Rhodes said parents nervous about buying toys can opt for books, clothes, music and posters. Newman adds that warning kids they aren't going to get everything on their lists will help.

"Santa Claus needs to buy a different product. He's smart. He knows it's been recalled," she said. "He understands you really want it, but he wants to protect you."

Parents need to be firm and do what they feel is right, Newman said. Concerns over safety should always come before anxieties about depriving a child of a beloved toy.

"No child is going to be on a psychologist's couch talking about the pony they didn't get," she said.

Reporter Mary Shedden can be reached at (813) 259-7365 or mshedden@tampatrib.com.

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