Product Safety News

-- Senate May consider CPSC Reform Beginning This Week --

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 MASSPIRG’s 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 Janet Domenitz, Executive Director of MASSPIRG. “But manufacturers are lining up to demand a variety of special interest weakening amendments to the Senate CPSC reform bill that may slow it down.”

As MASSPIRG reported in the November 2007 Trouble in Toyland survey, toys, building sets, and children’s 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, magnet toys are number one on the “List of Deadly Dangers.” CPSC reports  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, and the differences between the two bills are resolved, a bill could be sent to the president very soon.

“These new dangerous magnets are just one more reason that the Congress needs to finish CPSC reform,” concluded Domenitz. We hope that final legislation is signed into law quickly and includes the strongest protections for our littlest consumers so that this year won’t be another a repeat of 2007’s ‘Year of the Recall.’ “

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MASSPIRG is the state’s largest public interest advocate.

Link to CPSC report calling magnets #1 Deadly Danger: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/cpsr_nws45.pdf

Link to recall of Fun ‘N Safe Magnetic Dart Boards: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08201.html

Link to PIRG’s 2007 Trouble In Toyland report at www.toysafety.net (see numbered page 43, at bottom (pdf page 44))  for Gordy Fun ‘N Games dart board.