Thea Digiammerino

Annual ‘Trouble in Toyland' Report Lists Potentially Dangerous Toys

During the holiday shopping season it’s important for consumers to know about potentially dangerous and toxic toys.

Each year the US PIRG Education Fund (Public Interest Research Group) releases the "Trouble in Toyland" report, which lists dangerous toys and offers tips on how to shop safely.

ConnPIRG, the local branch, along with Senator Richard Blumenthal and officials from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, will discuss the list at an event Tuesday and show examples of the toys on the list.

This is the 32nd version of the report. According to the ConnPIRG website, over the years the survey has led to over 150 recalls. Researchers look at toys on store shelves and also look into whether previously recalled toys are still available for purchase online.

Researchers look for a variety of risk factors. Some of the common problems include small parts or balloons, both choking hazards, trace levels of lead, or "connected toys" which could be privacy-invasive, depending on how the products work.

The Toy Association criticized the report for focusing on items that have already been recalled.

"Many of the items named in U.S. PIRG’s supposed 'Trouble in Toyland' report were previously recalled due to ongoing regulatory vigilance, and are no longer offered for sale. In typical fashion, PIRG has resorted to simply listing recalled toys because they couldn’t find safety violations among the toys that are on the market. As a result, the group is needlessly frightening parents and caregivers during what is supposed to be a joyful time of year," the organization wrote in a statement.

The association added that the toy industry has invited US PIRG to work with them on revising toy safety standards, but the invitation has been repeatedly declined.

You can read this year’s report below:

For more information about ConnPIRG, visit their website.

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