Why not check out this site:
www.healthytoys.org
It's a non-profit that tests toys for harmful chemicals. Curious about the worst toys?
WORST TOYS LIST
Before you give little ones toys, check their lists. They are not all-inclusive lists, but they do offer a testing service.
Yet another recall about the tainted milk products with Melamine from China. The recall doesn't make it obvious that they are from China, however:
Michael Polzin, a representative of Walgreen’s stated in a telephone call to Ms. Reef, said that the product came from “Dan Dee” a “distributor” and thought they may be in “New Jersey”.
Ms. Reef, a food sales and marketing veteran, used www.manta.com to locate Dan-Dee. Dan-Dee International Limited is in Jersey City, New Jersey. She used the information to call Dan-Dee directly, and spoke to a Sylvia a supervisor. She confirmed that the candy came from China, and it was recalled because there was a “trace amount of melamine” and “over the limit” for the U.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- DEERFIELD, Ill., Dec. 5, 2008 – Walgreens is recalling 173 teddy bears with chocolate bars sold in stores since late September 2008. Analysis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that certain samples of the chocolate provided with the teddy bears were contaminated with melamine. Customers who purchased any of the 173 teddy bears should return them immediately to the Walgreens stores where they were purchased for a full refund.
Walgreens already has instructed stores to stop selling the product, which is specifically described as an approximately 9-inch high Dressy Teddy Bear with 4-oz. Chocolate Bar. The product's UPC number is 047475864485, and the product tag also includes the item number 291332. Walgreens has not received any reports of illness or injury related to this product.
I've made it known that I've avoided products made in China for the last year or so. I thought I was being safe until I saw THIS RECALL.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Carter’s, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, are advising parents and caregivers that they have received reports that a small percentage of babies and infants have developed rashes on the upper back after wearing Carter’s clothing with heat-transferred, or “tag-less,” labels.
This advisory applies to Carter’s Fall 2007 product line. The Fall 2007 line utilizes a label on the inside back of the garment that has a raised surface with a solid, rather than a stenciled, background. This advisory does not apply to previous and current product lines, which utilize labels with stenciled backgrounds.
The garments, which were made in various countries, were sold at Carter’s own retail stores and at department and national chain stores.
My two oldest had their dental checkup today. It went well, though we do have a few cavities to speak of :( Apparently, they inherited my crowded teeth and we're not flossing enough.
As usual at a dental exam, the dentist gave each of the girls a toothbrush. Though they are cute (the handles look like a whale), they are made in China.
Why do I care? Every week I get recall notices in my email box and the majority of them are lead paint recalls from China. I'm just not comfortable with products from China, especially those that are put in my children's mouth.
So I went on a search for toothbrushes for the girls. It may seem as if there is no selection for Made in the USA products, I've found the following:
TOOTHBRUSHES
Dr. Du-More's (I've purchased the flossers at Wal-Mart)
Radius
Oral-B (be sure to check the label)
POH
Remember the '07 scare about China toothpaste?
TOOTHPASTE
Tom's of Maine
Nature's Gate
I'll update this after we've tried any of the toothbrushes. We already love Tom's of Maine and have been using it for years.
Yes, I said it! It's August, and I'm counting down to Christmas.
WHY? Am I just insane?
No--well, probably--I just spent an hour today cleaning out my children's toys for a garage sale. This is after the 5 or so hours spent a couple months ago doing the same. I'm fed up. Four children under 7 = a big toy mess.
So here I am, contemplating Christmas. I don't want to be a big grinch and take away the magic of Christmas (no, that doesn't read the MOUNTAIN of Christmas [gifts]). I want to figure out how to balance Christmas so that there are presents, but not a year full of broken toys, toys my kids care nothing about, and a headache of a mess trailing behind. I want to find a way to make Christmas meaningful.
Birth to 1 year
1. Blankie. They are so easy to make: cut two pieces of fabric the same size and sew together. I always make the blankies with the "tags" on the side (pieces of ribbon folded and sewn on). There is such a selection of amazingly soft material and JoAnn always has great coupons and sales.
2. Rattle. Not a traditional rattle! Empty a bottle (like the new plastic FUZE bottles with wider mouth openings) and put a few household items in it (metal screw, rubber ball, other small items) and then hot glue the lid shut. This isn't a good one to to continually put in the mouth, of course. It's a good noise maker with supervision.
3. Sophie le Giraffe. Pricey, but well worth the money. I feel comfortable letting my little one chew on her and it's very easy for the little ones to hold. Sophie is well worth the money!
1-6 Years
1. Car Blanket. I made these last year for my girls and they are precious for them, a year later. They are fleece on one side, flannel on the other, great for the chilly car rides.
2. Instant tent/playhouse. I saw this in a magazine as an ad and realized it could easily be made. Find some material on clearance and cut and sew several yards to make a large square piece of material with a slit on one side (for the tent opening). Currently, my girls use a large blanket for their tent-making needs but it's made of heavy fleece and tends to pull down. This year, I'm making one for them and including some large clips so their imagination can soar.
3. Home Made Mittens. I found this on Family Fun and I now regret getting rid of a couple wool sweaters that were accidentally thrown in the washer. VERY easy to make, just a few washes and dries, cut out a shape, sew with yarn. A good one to give to the younger ones a great one for the older crowd to make for the younger crowd. directions
4. Duplos/Legos. Karen writes: LEGOS!! My son played with them until he was about 15! Seriously!Started with DUPLOS. I think it trained him to have the engineering type mind he has now.
5. Scarves and Dressup Clothing. This is another one from Karen and I agree! They don't have to be brand new, the more vintage they are, the bigger the imagination!
Ages 7-10
1. Instant Tent/Playhouse (see above)
2. Home Made Mittens. (see above) This is also a great one for this age group to MAKE for siblings. Look for the wool sweaters at thrift shops.
3. REAL Tea Set. Karen writes: REAL tea sets for my daughter. She had "tea" from about age 5-11 with the best tea party in an antique clothing store where they got to wear the clothes for the party. This was her 11th party.
4. Legos. (see above)
Ages 11-15
1. Home Made Mittens. (see above) A great one to either give this age group or for children of this age to make for friends/siblings.
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