More recalls in the news this week. My nerves are just about shot with all of this "Made in China" nonsense. As a mother of a toddler, it's my responsibility to educate myself on what she's got in her precious little hands. I've just been sick about all of these recalls, considering quite a few of her toys are from Fisher Price and "made in China". My husband and I have seriously contemplated just throwing everything out. Why don't we then? We're trying to remain calm and just make conscious decisions on the toys we buy from now on.
Thankfully, we found a company by the name of "Natural Pod" out of Vancouver. Natural Pod owners, Bridgitte and her husband are parents of two and make very well sure that their little ones are playing with safe toys. Are you going to pay a little bit more for these natural or wooden toys? Maybe in some cases but you have to ask yourself what is more important, a ton of flashy plastic toys in toy box that may be hazardous to your child's health or a few good quality toys that they will be just as happy with? I think I'll go with the obvious decision here.
If you take a look at Natural Pod's website, you'll see they have natural products ranging from the baby stages to school-age children. For instance, they have this fun wool fruit you see pictured to the left. An interesting texture for your baby to touch and soft enough for your toddler to toss around.
They also carry adorable natural baby dolls. Hailey has a pouchy doll that she totes around all over the place. Little girl's LOVE 
baby dolls, especially soft ones like the pouchy dolls. These dolls are filled with wool. Did you know that wool is naturally an anti-bacterial?
Wooden cars and trucks for the boys, clothing, bikes and musical instruments. Natural Pod has a huge selection of items and you can rest assure that there are no harmful ingredients in their products.
So, let's get back to the basics, shall we? We here at MTW really want to raise awareness about lead paint and these unsafe, exported children's toys and we'd love to involve you.
We are giving away a $100 gift certificate to Natural Pod's online store.
To enter this contest, here are the steps you need to take:
1. Leave us a comment on this post with your contact information (i.e. email address) so we can contact you if you win.
If you'd like to, go ahead and leave your thoughts and feelings on the recent toy recalls. We will compile all of your comments and submit them to the FDA (under Docket 2009N-0330) to be taken to a meeting held by the Bush Administration on October 1st. We need to be heard and they are giving us this opportunity, so let's take advantage. If you'd rather not, that's fine too, you can still enter, we'll just leave your comment out.
If you'd like to link up to this contest on your site, here are a couple of button codes for you:
This contest will end on Wednesday, September 19th at 10:00pm CST.
Good luck!
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70 comments:
All these recalls make me nervous. Especially with Christmas coming. Do know how many toys I have to go through and see if they are made in China? And I get anxiety just looking at the recall list.
cdomerese2004@yahoo.com
I can't believe how bad this has become. We need to monitor what comes into this country and the government needs to fund more agencies to watch our imports.
It's time we all start "buying American" again. If the demand is there, manufacturers will respond. Our children are certainly too important to leave their safety up to a government so vested in foreign trade.
I will definitely link up on my contest page and put the button up.
Parents need to be informed and be reading ALL labels- from food to sunscreen to toys- and our children's safety should NOT be taken lightly. I also don't think we should be letting our guard down with just "made in china" toys. We need to be careful with them all.
Steph
It makes me wonder if anything is safe anymore. Food, toys what next.
I blogged at http://qtpies7-goodstuff.blogspot.com/
It is sad that the lead paint issue managed to get by and made it to the US. I am glad that the companies are being responsible and recalling the products. Everyone makes mistakes, but being responsible for them is a big step in the right direction.
This scaes me and I wonder what we are truly eatting
I posted about this at http://ooohpickmepickme.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-do-you-feel-about-recent-toy.html
The recalls have instilled a sense of fear in me for all things made in China. It is so unfortunate that we have yet one more thing to worry about when it comes to our precious children. Just goes to show how "on our toes" we, as parents, must be!
It has definitely convinced me not to purchase from 'the big guys' anymore. For the money we've spent on their products, you would think they would be able to go one step further to ensure children for goodness sakes, will be safe while playing. It urks me to no end, to know that the bottom line is the bottom line - and it's obvious, making a buck for the big guys is more important than the safety of millions of kids who play with their toys. We don't need Dora, or Diego, or Barbie - I can't stomach the idea of purchasing a toy from any of those companies - or from China for that matter. I'm so glad there are people out there like you who have taken the time to provide alternatives. Thank you and keep up the great work!
I just blogged about it too -- I am worried that soon, all of our plastic toys will be recalled -- I just look at our toys, the ones not recalled, and I think -- how do I know these are safe?
I'm glad that we live in a time where we've caught on to the dangers of lead and are doing things to ensure safer toys.
I just blogged about your contest as well...the link is: http://jonathanandandrea.blogspot.com/2007/09/countless-contests.html AND about the recalls, I am very disappointed and frusterated with the companies that CANNOT even make a simple childrens toy without toxic paint, lead, etc. If children are the future, why 'poison' them with their favorite things: toys?!
All linked up on my Bloggy Contests page! (My comment was left earlier)
Steph
Being a new mom has made me so much more aware of the problems in our system. I'm glad Mattel is doing voluntary recalls, but even one "mistake" is too many when it concerns health. We need stricter regulations to ensure that harmful substances are not in our children's products!
The toy recalls are very unsettling. Why is that corporate American is so money hungry that they put our children at risk? You can not tell me that someone didn't know something fishy was going. For this many toys to be recalled because lead paint, it's unnerving and unacceptable.
I posted about this contest on my blog as well. Monday Edition of Contests Galore
Here from DC Metro Moms. Aside from the annoyance of having to read endless lists of toys to see if any we own are unsafe, the fact that these recalls are so numerous and so widespread is completely unacceptable.
I think our government needs to step up and do more to ensure our children's safety.
I linked up and posted here:
http://blondereviews.blogspot.com/2007/09/contests-around-blogosphere.html
Thanks for hosting this important contest and letting us know about the safe alternative in Natural Pod.
I really think that all of these recalls are getting ridiculous! This is what happens when businesses decide to get cheap labor!
I've posted about this giveaway, I'm glad there are still safe toys out there.
http://themommyrambles.blogspot.com/2007/09/mumsthewurd.html
I had many of the toys that were involved in the various recalls and I am very upset that my children had been playing with them all this time. I am now very hesitant about purchasing anymore toys especially for the Christmas holidays, I think instead I am going to get them books, movies, clothing, board games, ectera.
I couldn't get the buttons to show up on my sidebar...
http://superdumbsupervillain.blogspot.com/2007/09/unleaded.html
Try to buy local, when possible. Or at least independently-owned. There's usually more social responsibility.
This is just such a concerning time when I worry about everything my baby picks up and every toy he has wondering if it's safe or he's eating poison ;(.
Lois Whittaker
lois@friendsofallie.org
I posted about how I feel on the Toy Recalls on my blog. I will copy some here as well.
Are you tired of all of the recalls. I certainly am. Everytime the baby puts a toy in her mouth, I wonder if in a few years I will here about a recall involving that toy. Am I endangering her mental capacity and health by letting her play with her toys? Are they SAFE? I used to only think about the size of they toy not about what it was made with and painted with. I hate having to second quess toys and toy manufacturers.
Blogged about it at http://hgrims.blogspot.com/2007/09/sick-of-recalls.html
I am so disappointed in the companies that make toys for our children. I'm thankful that other than a few Thomas the Train pieces we haven't had anything on the recall lists. My Christmas shopping will not have much from the companies with recalled toys. It seems like toys from European companies are faring better than our good old USA products.
Every day something is being recalled whether it be food (spinach) or toys! Lead paint in toys...how could the US allow lead paint on toys? Why aren't methods in place to ensure this doesn't happen? I have a 3 month old and while I haven't bought a lot of toys, I have some. I have to go through and see which ones I can and can't give him. I'm fortunate that this happened before he starts putting things in his mouth but what about other kids? It really upsets me. I could go on about harmful plastic in baby bottles but I'll save that for another time.
Who among us parents (and non-parents) hasn't heard of the toy recalls? It had me pretty worried, I can tell you. And I've had to discard quite a few toys that had lead paint on them. What a waste! And some of them were Kiddo's fave too, poor thing.
Yes, they promise to replace them, but I confess - I've lost faith. These toys were supposed to be safe in the first place, but the bitter truth is, we can't always believe them. Who's to say this won't happen again? What happened to maintaining standards?!
Recall this, recall that!
Why can't long-term testing be done before unleashing them on the unsuspecting public?
Sorry for the rant, but I really really hate this, especially when it concerns the safety and well-being of my child.
I've posted this on my blog as well. As well as about the giveaway. Here's the link :
http://abookwormsdiary.blogspot.com/2007/09/win-100-gift-certificate.html
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
In my opinion, we as parents have to do whatever it takes to cause the toy companies to be responsible. I am almost of the opinion that I could just let my little guy play with nature or whatever else we create and imagine. The product recalls are scary!!
I was lucky enough not to have any of the recalled toys, but that doesn't mean that I don't worry every time I go to the toystore to buy something for my children or someone else. Natalie
http://pizzolo.com/blog
I blogged about it. Thanks! This is an important issue!
It is really sad and scary that these recalls are happening, and they seem to multiply! What is "safe" for our kids? We need to get back to the basics with natural products...and toys that are made in the USA. We need to feel confident with the toys/food/clothes we give and put on our children! They are so precious! Thank you for promoting this awareness!! I posted you and linked! http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com
sharvey(at)connections-etc(dot)net
Awesome post on this important issue! I've posted about it here on my blog and grabbed a button: http://doreens-scrap-wonderland.blogspot.com/2007/09/sick-of-toys-made-in-china.html . I am sickedned by seeing anything made in China now. We really have to be cautious what toys children are allowed to play with.
Laws are not going to get China to stop what they are doing. Our lack of consumerism of Chinese products will. Buy better quality toys and stop burying our children in glitzy plastics that may harm them. So they may have fewer toys to play with, but then they will be encouraged to be more creative, more imaginative in their play and we will be teaching them value and quality over consumerism. Plus we will be bringing business back to our own country. Seems like a win-win situation to me.
I have posted about this on my blog and will be adding your button to my blog as well.
BTW, I wanted to use the blinky button as I figured it would draw more attention, but I can't get that image to work. Could you please check the code? The other one works fine.
Maybe companies should stop trying to limit their costs by going out of the Country to manufacture their products and stay close to home, thats where everyone feels much safer- CLOSE TO HOME!!!
I have actually STOPPED buying my daughter toys for the time being and started doing crafts with her and making homemade toys for her to play with. It makes me so nervous we don't even go near the toy section in some stores because if we do our daughter will fuss and want something. With all the recalls, I just don't want to chance it or put my daughter's health and life at risk!
my email is amfile[AT]sympatico[DOT]ca
What scares me is that we do so much to give our babies a good start and then it is the toys, that we bought to stimulate and delight them, that brings this poison into our homes.
We need to act with our dollars and start spending them elsewhere. It is very tough to do, and I don't always do it, but I think it is time that as consumers we demand accountability from these companies.
I linked up to your contest here.
My e-mail is mamaluxe at gmail dot com
Our government needs to step up now and say NO MORE! Tough standards need to be enacted and most importantly ENFORCED. As consumers we need to make more savvy choices. Our children's health is not worth saving a few pennies on the dollar.
fidgetblogs [at] gmail [dot] com
the recent toy recalls were very unnerving. i wrote about them on my blog as they were happening to help raise awareness.
i hope that stricter testing will be implemented both in the countries where the toys are being produced and, once they are shipped here to the US, i believe they should be tested again.
in the meantime, i think parents need to educate themselves, read labels and make informed choices. the cheapest toys are probably not the best toys for your children. it's hard when money is tight to begin with, but i think our children's health and safety are worth the money it takes to buy quality, safe toys from reputable companies.
i blogged about the contest here:
http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com/2007/09/15/taking-care-of-bloggy-business/
thanks! :)
amy
unfortunately, i'm not sure that we can rely on the government to take care of our toy-purchases for us...i think that we need to make sure on our own that we shop from reputable manufacturers and buy what we think are the safest toys. I think that my children will, from now on, have less toys that are higher (safer) quality. (hope i win the gift cert - it will help with this goal!)
I mentioned it here: Ima On and Off the Bimah - visit me!
These recalls are extremely troubling. It is very difficult to take away your child's favorite toys. Somehow my 3 year old doesn't quite understand why a lead paint recall leads to the loss of her Dora toy.
We need much stricter testing of these toys and to stop business practices with countries that don't adhere to our standards.
The cheaply and questionably made products have been troubling me for quite a some time - and not just toys, but clothes as well.
One of the reasons I started my own children's store was to offer safe products for parents - I'll ask the questions from manufacturer's, so the parents don't have to, and they can be assured of the safety.
In a way we need to be thankful for all the recalls and the raised awareness, so parents will be more aware. WE TOGETHER can make a difference - the big companies like Mattel and Fisher Price will keep producing products in questionable ways, if we keep buying them. The big companies here do not have the power.
We, parents together, have the power. We are the ones who purchase toys.
By supporting small independent companies, like Natural Pod, we can offer our children safe products and also support parent-owned companies. By stopping to buying from the "cheap giants" we are sending a message to them: we want safer alternatives, and better business practices.
Let's not sacrifice our children to the bottom line. Thanks for hosting this contest and raising awareness of how unacceptable this state of affairs truly is. When did we lose the ability to discern what's right and to do the right thing?
first off why in the WORLD do we just keep sending all our american companies over to foreign countries!!!??? our unemployment rate must not be bad enough. wait, don't answer that! could it be GREED!!!???
yeah, secondly, thank GOODNESS IS RIGHT, for companies like naturalpod. we know where the stuff is coming from and can feel safe about our children playing with their toys or using their products.
thank you for all your constant updates and information about recalls and better companies that are out there!!!
i'm adding this info to my blog now!
gypsycat77@yahoo.com
I can't beleive all these recalls! It makes me sick too! I wish our toy manufacturers would close up shop in china. why not open factories here in the states?! I know it would probably cost more to make the toys here, but at least they would be made under the U.S. laws & regulations & give ourown people in our country more jobs. I also have a toddler & a baby on the way. My son got a PARENT'S boat toy. it comes w/ a buncjh of items for water play & tub time, it has 3 stacking cups & 1 of the cups the paint scrapes right off, so we took it out & put it up. I just didn't want him to scrape it off himself & put it in his mouth, b/c it was made in China. scares me.
VicciRadake@hotmail.com
The peace of mind, knowing the toys are safe!
Lindsey Coffman
coffmanlindsey@yahoo.com
Its Frustrating!!! I try not buy kids toys that advertisers push on them or me. Which thankfully saved me from having to take anything away from my kids. It just makes me very angry any type of recall happens on a child's toy b/c it makes feel as though the company didn't take its time to make sure it would be safe. Carolyn Whetstone treasuregrouch@yahoo.com
I'm wondering now about all toys coming out of China and I'm starting to look closer at North American made toys also. How long has this been going on before it was caught?
I love more natural toys for my kids. When I win, please send notice to lms04@comcast.net Thanks!
I'm not a parent, but I often buy toys for friends' and relatives' kids. The recalls are scary, and they make me not want to buy any toys anymore (I have made some). It's nice to see that there are some great options, though, and that so many people are now aware of the problem.
ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca
It's absolutely ridiculous what is being allowed into our country for our children to play with. My son is 9 m/o and naturally he puts everything in his mouth and chews on things. It's scary to know that things I've allowed into my home with the intention of helping my child grow and develop may actually be causing him harm. Our government needs to put more money into protecting our children because without them we have no future.
Aleycia Feggan
Email - aleyciaf@aol.com
what really is safe???? Parents need more information.
I've been trying to get rid of my plastic drinking bottles and food containers, so now with the toy recalls, I am definitely going to be getting rid of some toys! I am very much trying to go as natural as possible in all areas of my life.
too_blue4u69@hotmail.com
You would think that toxins were a new development - its really sad that they know about it and still use the stuff!
Today is my 30th Birthday!
The recalls of toys from China are extremely upsetting....not only are our children at risk from the products that are being shipped to the US but what about the people making the toys and their families. It is very sad that we value cheep plastic toys more than we value other people and children.
ybec_60@yahoo.com
I always avoided cheap/no name toys for my kids because I couldn't trust they were made right. Now I have to worry about namebrands too! More should be done. Companies should pay for lead testing of kids that had these toys.
Awesome! Count me in!
cnelson67 at gmail dot com
I have wondered how far back the lead paint issue goes. Are some of my toys before the recall date safe? My trust in the industry is shaky.
I added a link to my blog.
Renee
My son is 10 months... turning a yr in Nov. I have gone online and made a list of toys that I think will be safe for him to get for his birthday... how sad is it that we have to be like this with toys... :-/
Sanchez1103@yahoo.com
The recalls are such a sad comment on the state of our greed, trade policies, and desire for STUFF> Speaking of which, here I am entering (but hey, they're the good guys)
Gwendolen Gross
ggross@gwendolengross.com
www.the-other-mother.com
HAVE YOU READ IT YET?
I have been wanting to give my children more homemade/handmade items. These recalls have just given me a great reason to buy as few toys as possible and make more.
Thanks for entering me in the contest. marmali@windstream.net
For this many toys to be recalled because lead paint, it's unnerving and unacceptable.
We as mothers need to pay close attention to the toys our kids are playing with.
zen_master777@yahoo.com
I've been only buying natural toys noww--for aesthetic and philosophic reasons as much as safety. They're just so much nicer!
There is more than enough scary stuff in the world to worry about without having to lose sleep over whether my daughter's health is being endangered by her Barbie Doll!
kelli (at) pfrog (dot) net
The upside is finding so many great products being made by independent crafts-people in the US. Beautiful high quality toys. Unfortunately, they are more pricey.
Great contest.
hatchew at hotmail dot com
Well, I think you know my point of view on the toy recalls. :) But, just for the record.
We all need to be more vigilant; China, toy makers, consumers, politicians. But, all in all, I would much rather buy organic from now on. They are not only safer but they are better made.
pickelfam at yahoo dot com
The concerns voiced here and in other venues are a great example of the powers of speech and opinion. Two reasons congress and the news media outlets are even taking up this issue is because 1) parents are a powerful economic group and 2) that the US has been looking for ways to put economic pressure on China's exports. This is one way of doing so.
With the upcoming Olympics China is really trying to turn worldwide opinions of it self. The lead scare is unfortunately and fortunately times to put pressure on China to clean up its act. The unfortunate part is that we have to worry about the health of our loved ones.
The bright side is that international companies Including Melissa and Doug will need to take a more proactive approach to ensuring the quality of their products. Which I'm sure they will do. It also allows us as parents to become aware of alternative toy companies.
Thanks for the great info here. hopefuly I'm not the only dad reading this info.
The current reports of lead in children's toys is quite alarming! It is very nice to know that there are other companies out there that are thinking of our children's well being.....thanks for giving us info on this cool store! Oh, and I hope I (my kids) win the raffle too! :)
d_wildayathotmaildotcom
Oh these toys are adorable. My 5 young kids would LOVE them! They would be so excited if we won.
Andrea
mamadots2@yahoo.com
This is a great offer! I've been trying to get natural toys for my baby from the beginning. I even managed to find glass bottles because of the PCV in some baby bottles - which is horrifying, given that it has been found to be probably toxic.
Anyway, please enter me into the contest: flomanovil@aol.com
The recalls make me sick to my stomach. I hate to imagine what my child might have been exposed to. It's also sad to think about what the Chinese workers (many of them children themselves) who made those toys were exposed to.
We need to find better ways to create toys for our children--better for the environment and our bodies. Natural toys are one alternative, and I'm glad to see them here.
marsha(dot)brofkaberends(at)gmail
THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!
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