C-Span 1 hearing on now regarding toy safety

[eleny]

Dick Durbin heads up the Appropriations Subcomte. holding the hearing this morning.

[graywarrior]

1. This is what you get when you OUTSOURCE JOBS.

[napi21]

2. That's exactly what I told my hubby this AM! we were listening

to CNN this AM reporting on Mattel and he said "Mattel is really going to take a hit on this one!" My response, "I hope they do! They were all fat, dumb, and happy sending all their jobs to China so THEY could become multimillionairs. So let them suffer the consequences now!"

The sad thing is, coupled with the report on Mattel, CNN also interviewed a toy store owner who explained that it was almost impossible for anyone to find toys for their children that WERE NOT made in China! Even the ones she found that said "made in the USA or Germany, or Italy" were made from components made in China!

[eleny]

4. I wonder if craft fairs will get a lot of business this year?

[napi21]

5. Maybe. I also googled toys made in the USA and found several online toy sites with a lot of nice

stuff and free shipping over $50, which isn't hard to do!

[eleny]

6. And there's always Etsy shops online

I keep imagining that parents across the country will take up crafting and light woodworking to make toys for kids in the years ahead. Not a bad thing, if they can find the time. Crocheted or sewn, stuffed "softies" are fun and easy to make. I know things have changed greatly since I was little. Television really pumps away at kids. But that's a whole other discussion.
:hi:

[eleny]

3. Senator Nelson now illustrating other problems

The magnets and parts that can come off and be swallowed by a child.

They brought up that lead paint won't be used on toys exported to the U.S. So, toys going to other toys could have lead?

He's calling for an independent party like UL to do the testing.