Experts say secondhand toys pose health risks

With the economic crunch being felt more in the Pee Dee with every layoff, some parents might be thinking of turning to secondhand toys to fill the stocking this year.

But some experts say parents should use extra caution when selecting secondhand toys.

Leah Filyaw, injury prevention specialist for Safe Kids of Florence at McLeod Health, said they basically should start with general toy safety issues.

“Before shopping for toys, consider the child’s age, interests and skill level,” she said. “Check old toys regularly for damages such as sharp edges and small parts. Make repairs immediately or throw them away.”

One major issue in buying used toys is finding out about recalls relating to those products, Filyaw said.

“You can sign up to receive product recalls with the Consumer Product Safety Commission,” she said. “Always read labels to look for age ranges and safety warnings.”

According to BabyZone.com, a popular destination for new parents, one toy that has stood the test of time for popularity, if not safety, is the indoor basketball net.

“A popular toy for kids perfecting hand-eye coordination, toy basketball nets are consistently on CPSC recall lists,” the site said. “Children can strangle on loops or openings in these basketball nets if the nets come unhooked from the rim or have knots that slide. If children put their heads into these openings, the nets can get tangled around their necks.”

On the main toy page of the BabyZone Web site, there are 12 toy recalls. That number doesn’t include the many recalls on the page of the site dedicated solely to toy recalls.

That was enough to keep one local entrepreneur out of the used toy business. David Beck, owner of Pattycakes Children’s Boutique and Consignment Shop on Second Loop Road in Florence, said his store did sell gently used toys originally, but the potential for liability ended that aspect of the business. Beck decided to use the space formerly reserved for toys to expand his clothing line.

“The main reason why we quit selling them was recalls and safety issues,” he said. “As far as (cribs, play yards and strollers), (there were) tons of recalls all the time and we just didn’t want to be in a situation where we were selling things we shouldn’t be selling.”