The name brand toy recalls have me thinking about the dollar store toys

[catmandu57]

and off brand and flea market toys. Aren't those more likely to have contaminants of some sort? NBC did a story last night about how the govt. toy inspection had been cut to ribbons, so they're not being looked at like they should be. is this one more cost of poverty? Watching our children get sick because all we can get them is a cheap off name toy?

[BOSSHOG]

1. I peruse em all

Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar World. I'm not looking for toys (no kids) but you can get some good bargains in such places. I have enough time on my hands to shop wisely. But you are right. It seems every time I am in one, there is a small child begging Mommy to buy them this toy or that toy.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

2. This debacle represents an excellent opportunity

for some good ol' American cottage industry. How about some wooden blocks, handmade dolls, imagination sparkers--anything but plastic gimcracks and gewgaws.

The hidden costs of cheap imported products are becoming increasingly apparent.

[backscatter712]

3. Not just toys

Everyone focuses on toys, but how many other things do we buy in dollar stores or elsewhere that are made of plastic, in China?

I remember hearing a story about flip-flops bought at Wal-Mart causing chemical burns on people's feet.

Think of all the kitchen utensils and gadgets made in China...

[Emit]

4. On a similar note == Don't buy dishes from the dollar stores!

Here in Nevada, some of the dishes (cups, bowls, etc.) have warning labels for lead content that are required by California law (not necessarily Nevada law). They could sell them in Nevada without the label, but never bothered to take the labels off -- I got some coffee mugs for Christmas (office party like situation) and returned them.

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

5. Maybe this is a good opportunity...

for kids to get back to the basics. Plain wooden blocks were a fun toy when I was a kid. Riding my bike. A large cardboard appliance box could provide days of fun for us. We didn't have hundreds of colorful plastic and metal toys when I was a kid. My dad made homemade stilts out of an old metal bed frame. We had a pogo stick. We played games with a ball...kickball, baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, tetherball, a couple of ratty tennis rackets and a tennis ball...badminton, hide and seek, kick the can, catch, the list goes on and on. We weren't fat, we were lean, tanned little banshees. Now I know someone will start in on the "there are child predators out there" and they refuse to let their kids play outside. I remember plenty of pervs trying to get us to come to their car or help them find their puppy or whatever. We knew better. When an adult tried to lure us we just took off and ran or pedaled like hell. You didn't even bother to mention it to your parents, it was just another day in the life of a kid. I really don't think there are more pervs out there now, I think there is just more reporting of it in the media. There was plenty of stuff going on in my neighborhood. The boy two doors up was molesting the younger boys. The pill popping drunk woman up the street was having sex with the neighborhood boys...everyone knew, you just steered clear of them. The world has ALWAYS been a treacherous place, it's nothing new.

[StarryNite]

6. Have you looked at the food you eat?

I have just really started looking at EVERYTHING. Just today I saw, on apple juice, product of China, on grapefruit juice, concentrate from USA Mexico, on pickles, product of India. Outsourcing is good for 'Merika my ass!

[liberal N proud]

7. All products with Made in China are subject

Not just toys, but tires, food and everything you can imagine.