Good article to read if you need to handle by taking away recalled toys from child(ren).
How to take away recalled toys with fewer tears
From the Parenting.com staff
Toy recalls are no longer relegated to discount bins and no-name brands. The recent rash of toy recalls have included some A-list celebrities of the children's toy world, including Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, Polly Pocket and Barbie. In the last two weeks alone, Mattel has recalled over 100 types of toys totaling 10 million units. Since kids love to put their favorite toys in their mouths, parents should confiscate the recalled products as quickly as possible. Still, common sense is key. In other words, avoid letting your child see you throw his valued toy in the garbage. So, how to take those toys away -- without tears? Try these tips: If he's a baby: You're lucky -- he probably won't notice the missing toy, or he'll forget about it quickly. Just remove the toy while your child is otherwise occupied. If he's a toddler: Yes, toddlers do sometimes become attached -- violently, passionately -- to favorite toys, but luckily, kids this age are often easily distracted. Try grabbing his their attention with a different toy, activity or treat before you make the recalled items disappear. If he's older: You have a couple of options: • Make the toy "disappear" while your child is sleeping. If he is distressed about losing his favorite object, you may have to tell a white lie and feign ignorance about the toy's whereabouts. And, if the toy is truly beloved, endure the screaming until you can find a suitable replacement. Parenting.com: Surprising lead hazards • Or, go the direct route and use reason. Kids can understand that some things are dangerous and need to go. Sometimes it helps to create a ritual for disposing of the hazardous toy. Involve your child in the process of packaging up the toy for mailing back to the manufacturer, and bring him with you to the post office. Bonus: If the manufactuer has promised a replacement, your kid will have something to look forward to. Parenting.com: Snapshots of recently recalled toys Once you've disposed of the toy, here are the steps you should take: • Request an X-ray exam if you suspect that your child has swallowed a loose magnet. • Ask your pediatrician for a lead test A standard lead check test requires less than a teaspoon of blood. If your child has been exposed to one of the recalled toys, don't panic. Lead paint poses a threat only with extensive exposure. "For the typical child, this is probably not going to be an emergency situation, unless the child has swallowed the toy or has been mouthing or chewing on the toy extensively," says Bruce Lanphear, M.D., professor of environmental health at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. And while the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission calls magnets the No. 1 hidden home hazard, constant awareness can prevent injury. Keep magnetic pieces away from younger children, especially those under the age of 6. For more help on choosing the right toys for your child and preventing toy-related injuries, The American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidelines for toy safety. For a list of companies that provide lead-free products, visit the Center for Environmental Health's Web site. Try a FREE TRIAL issue of Parenting Magazine - CLICK HERE! Copyright 2007 The Parenting Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. |
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| Links referenced within this article Parenting.com: Surprising lead hazards http://edition.cnn.com/parenting/article/0,19840,1650058,00.html?cnn=yes Parenting.com: Snapshots of recently recalled toys http://edition.cnn.com/parenting/article/0,19840,1652830,00.html?cnn=yes CLICK HERE https://subs.timeinc.net/PA/pa_keepsake.jhtml;jsessionid=0VYG4ASLZ12GGQHMGASBHOQ?experience_id=126742&source_id=62&_requestid=56496 The Parenting Group http://edition.cnn.com/linkto/parenting.html |
| Find this article at: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/family/08/14/par.toy.tips/index.html |
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