Another Toy Recall

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Fun ‘N Safe Magnetic Dart Board set recalled as CPSC calls magnet toys #1 on the “List of Deadly Dangers”

RIPIRG

Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Family Dollar Stores recalled the Gordy FUN N SAFE Magnetic Dart Board set due to aspiration and intestinal hazards. The toy is similar to the Gordy/Family Dollar Fun N Games Magnetic Dart Board, identified in RIPIRGs November 2007 Trouble In Toyland report as a toy that posed the same hazards.

Swift Senate action on CPSC reform will help establish mandatory testing of these dangerous small magnets, said Laura Brion of RIPIRG. But manufacturers are lining up to demand a variety of weakening amendments to the Senate CPSC reform bill that could delay progress and protect special interests instead of our children.

As RIPIRG reported in the November 2007 Trouble in Toyland survey, many toys, building sets, and childrens jewelry now use tiny, extremely powerful rare-earth magnets that pose a serious risk to children, especially when poor design leads to them falling out of the toys. According to a new CPSC bulletin, magnetic toys are #1 on the List of Deadly Dangers. CPSC says that at least 86 injuries and one known death have occurred, and 8 million units of magnetic toys, including popular Barbie and Polly Pockets dolls, have been recalled.

In December, the House passed HR 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Reform Act. Last week, Senate leaders announced a deal to bring a version of their committee-passed bill, S 2045, the CPSC Reform Act, to the Senate floor as soon as possible. If the Senate does take up the bill, then after the slight differences between the two are negotiated, a bill could be sent to the president very soon.

These dangerous new magnets are just one reason that the Congress needs to finish CPSC reform, concluded Brion. We hope that final legislation is signed into law quickly and includes the strongest protections for our littlest consumers, so that this year wont be another Year of the Recall, as 2007 was.