Tips on Toys You May Not Want Your Child to Have

We are fortunate to have a national agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. Its work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Children toys is one category of products that are of major concern to the CPSC. They test thousands of toys and each year. Those found unsafe are recalled. It is wise to know which toys were recalled because it is possible a few of the unsafe toys are still in the market place. From the information provided by the CPSC, I have listed below the toys recalled during 2006. You may not want your child to have toys that were recalled for failure to meet all CPSC standards. If you do purchase a toy on this list you should be certain the safety issue has been corrected.

Toy Animals Stuffed/not stuffed
Baby Cookie Monster Toys Sold with DVD at Wal-Mart Recalled for Choking Hazard (October 18, 2006)
Lead Poisoning Hazard Prompts Recall of Fun Express Childrens Toys Given Away at Libraries (August 17, 2006)
The Little Tikes Co. Recalls Animal-Shaped Flashlights Containing Lead Paint Sold at Target (March 1, 2006)

Toy Blocks
Small World Toys Recalls Toy Vehicles for Choking Hazard (July 5, 2006)

Toy Cars
Toy Cars Recalled for Choking Hazard (March 30, 2006)

Toy Chests/Trunks
Cars Toy Chests Sold at Toys R Us Recalled by Delta Enterprise Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard (November 9, 2006)

Toy Helicopters
Remote-Control Helix Micro Helicopter Toys Recalled for Burn Hazard (November 9, 2006)

Toy Halloween Pumpkin
Halloween Pumpkin Decoration Kits Sold at Target Stores Recalled by Paper Magic Group Due to Choking Hazard (October 24, 2006)

Toys: Miscellaneous
RC2 Recalls Toy Keys Due to Choking Hazard (November 2, 2006)
Childrens Cooking Sets with Glass Lids Recalled for Laceration Hazard (August 10, 2006)
Rubys Diner Inc. Recalls Giveaway Yo-Yo Toy for Choking Hazard (June 8, 2006)
Childs Death Prompts Replacement Program of Magnetic Building Sets (March 31, 2006)
RadioShack Corp. Recalls Toy Pliers Due to Choking Hazard (March 28, 2006)
BRIO® Corp. Recalls Pull-Along Snail Toy Due to Choking Hazard (March 8, 2006)
Remote Control Flying Saucers Sold by QVC Recalled for Fire Hazard (February 24, 2006)
Fisher-Price Recalls Infant Musical Toy Chair Posing Strangulation Hazard (January 18, 2006)

Toy Musical Instruments
Cage Bell Musical Instruments for Babies Recalled for Choking Hazard (August 17, 2006)
Electronic Toy Guitars Recalled, Small Parts Pose Choking Hazard (June 29, 2006)

Toy Sets/Activity Sets
Serious Injuries Prompt Recall of Mattels Polly Pocket Magnetic Play Sets (November 21, 2006)
Target Recalls Various Toys Due to Lead and Laceration Hazards (November 15, 2006)
Gund Inc. Recalls Woodles™ Activity Toys for Choking Hazard (November 9, 2006)
Playskool Voluntarily Recalls Toy Tool Benches after the Death of Two Toddlers (September 22, 2006)
LeapFrog Recalls to Repair Childrens Activity Centers Due to Arm Entrapment Hazard (September 7, 2006)

Toy Telephones
Toy Phones Recalled for Choking Hazard (May 2, 2006)
Toy Mobile Phones Recalled for Choking Hazard (February 28, 2006)

Toy Trains
Small World Toys Recalls Toy Vehicles for Choking Hazard (July 5, 2006)

Toy Trucks
LEGO Recalls Toy Trucks Due to Puncture Hazard to Young Children (September 20, 2006)
Radio Control Toy Trucks Sold by QVC Recalled for Fire Hazard (March 29, 2006)

Toy Vehicles
Small World Toys Recalls Toy Vehicles for Choking Hazard (July 5, 2006)

Toy Bathtubs
Suave Kids Bath Sets Sold at Wal-Mart Recalled for Choking, Other Hazards (September 27, 2006)

A pre-selected inventory of quality gifts for children during their first years can be found at BabyStoreGiftShop.com.

Five Safety Tips For Holiday Shoppers

Christmas shopping has already begun. We are all anticipating the joy of the season, especially the joy we experience when we see the excitement in our children eyes as they open and enjoy their Christmas gifts. After all, most children would say the gifts are the main reason the Christmas season is special to them. We at BabyStoreGiftShop.Com want to help you ensure your family experiences the anticipated joy of this wonderful season.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and AARP joined forces to warn all gift givers about the five toy hazards that can take all the fun out of any celebration. By passing these safety tips on to you, BabyStoreGiftShop.Com hope to make a contribution to that effort to reduce the chance of injuries and deaths that can steal your Christmas joy.

1. CPSC Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:
   Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
2. Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
3. Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
4. Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and slingshots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
5. Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

CPSC also recommends using the following tips to help choose appropriate toys for children:

1. Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
2. Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child.
3. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
4. For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
   

Once the gifts are open:

1. Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
2. Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
   

Thanks to the CPSC and AARP for making these tips available. The more you know the more you are able to do to prevent harm to the babies and small children in your life and the more you will enjoy your holidays. Have a Merry Christmas.

An inventory of pre-selected, safe quality toys is featured at BabyStoreGiftShop.Com. They include: The stacking train, Hammer Peg, Pop Up Toy, Airplane, Fire Engine, Truck, Sorting Wheel and more

Ten Tips on Making Your Baby’s Christmas Special

Christmas is a special time for children and adults alike. The memories created during the Christmas season make make it special. These memories are created as a result of events that occur, gift given and received, and relationships established with family and friends. Your baby may be too young to tell the difference between Christmas and any other day or to recall events, gifts or the people they met. However, your baby will soon grow up, and for the rest of his/her life be able to get satisfaction and pleasure from his or her first Christmas memorabilia.

I will share ten way of ensuring pleasant memories are made for your baby:

1. Personalized Items — Have an engraver, embroiderer or artist place your personal reminder on the item of your choice. Some possibilities are: Piggy banks, clocks, blankets, furniture, toys, cups and almost any other item.
2. Consider a stuffed animals – Stuffed animals make great companions, especially for a baby without playmates at home, and may be kept for years.
3. Make a home video – Start a film library for your baby.
4. Select a great book - Your baby will soon know it is his/her personal property. You will most likely be getting one later anyway to give him/her an early start at reading.
5. Take pictures – Start a photo album for your baby.
6. Have a family Portrait painted – Allow your baby to see herself as a part of the family.
7. Start a personal Christmas collection for your baby – These may be items your baby will identify as his/hers and when big enough use to help decorate the home for Christmas.
8. Choose baby clothing with words to show it is your baby’s first Christmas.
9. Jogging Stroller –What we do with our baby is often more memorable than what we give to them. A good baby jogger allows your baby to participate in mommy and/or daddy’s jogging or walking exercises and will be a cherished memory. This is normally for babies six-months old and older and may be used until they weigh about 40 pounds.
10. Bike Trailer – Same as number 9 above.

Memorabilia can become special treasures that your baby may keep to adulthood and pass on to younger siblings or even his/her own children. So, it is good to consider durability and quality when making choices for your baby’s Christmas. These are just a few ideas to get you started thinking of ways to make this Christmas an extra special Christmas for your Baby. For more ideas visit http://www.babystoregiftshop.com/.

Successful Online Baby Gift Shopping

The Internet has growth tremendously since it began taking off in the early 1990’s. The growth from a few hundred thousand users skyrocketed to approximately 15 million by 1996. That was just the early days. Today there are hundreds of millions users who prefer to select their gifts from the large variety of online stores than to waste their time in long lines at the malls. Furthermore, the online shopping industry keeps growing, and more and more products are made available online. An increasing number of these users are shopping for the special baby in their lives. You can find any baby gift you are looking for, and can purchase the items you want with just a few clicks.

Online baby gift shopping can save you a lot of money and time, and the online market keeps growing so if you haven't tried shopping from an online store, try it and you'll see that it's much simpler than going to mall.

Successful gift shopping on the Internet requires you to keep a few things in mind. Remembering these few things will make your online baby gift shopping experience simple, fun and safe.

1. Use a secure server when you shop -- Most of the online shopping websites use encrypted information to prevent hackers from stealing personal information. Using the latest version of the Internet browser also increases security.
2. Use your credit card -- The Fair Credit Billing Act will protect online shopping if you pay by credit or charge card. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit or charge card, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges.
3. Buy from a well-known company when possible -- If you're not familiar with an online store; take the same precautions you would with traditional mail and telephone merchants. Read their privacy policy and make a note of their physical address and phone number. If you have concerns, ask friends for references, contact your local consumer protection agency, or check the company's complaint record with a business monitoring organization such as the Better Business Bureau where these organizations are available.
4. Use an online shopping directory or search engine to find the best shopping sites and deals. -- They have links to a large variety of online stores that are grouped in categories based on the merchandise they are selling.
5. Shop several online stored to find the best prices and deals on the items that you want to purchase-- some websites have discounts and special offers on their products.
6. Read and understand the privacy and return policies of the company that you will buy from so you know what to expect from them.
7. Know how to communicate with the service or order department before placing the order—Just in case your need to get additional instruction on returning an item.
8. After placing the order, print a copy of it for your records.
9. Make sure that the items that you are ordering will be delivered in time for the special gift-giving occasion.
10. Reduce the pressure by ordering in plenty time—Anxiety can mount when at the last minute you are wondering will your special gift for that special baby will arrive on time.
11. Know the shipping cost--The closer the store the faster your order will arrive and the lower shipping charges. However, some stores will ship at no additional cost. This could be the determining factor when making comparisons to find the best price.
12. Track your Order -- Most online merchants provide you with an email confirmation of your order and will supply you with a printable receipt as well. Many merchants will provide you with a shipping tracking number after your order has been shipped so you can track your purchases to determine the exact date they'll be delivered.

Online storeowners understand that their success is limited by the quality of the products and services they provide. You will find their products equal if not superior to that of any local store. They provide descriptions of the products that you can buy from them, and pictures so you can see in detail the things you are buying. Try shopping for your next baby gift on the Internet. Following these few simple suggestion to make it a successful event. You won’t be alone. A study conducted by MORI Research, Minneapolis, MN during October 2005 show 70% of the people have access to the Internet and 60% of those research or shop for products of services online.