The annual Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group survey on toy safety was released Tuesday. The report gives holiday shoppers advice on what they should avoid when buying toys for small children.
The 2015 “Trouble in Toyland” survey highlights four main safety concerns: choking hazards, powerful magnets small enough to be swallowed, toys with high levels of toxic substances and playthings that are too noisy.
WISPIRG director Peter Skopec said sound is a safety hazard many people don’t think about.
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“It might not sound terribly loud to us, but if you’re a young kid and you’re holding a toy close to your ear, it can be damaging to your hearing,” said Skopec.
According to the report, nearly 15 percent of children show signs of hearing loss which can be linked to exposure to loud noise. The Consumer Product Safety Commission began requiring toy manufacturers to follow sound guidelines in 2009.
While the report didn’t survey every toy at every store, it found 22 potentially hazardous toys sold at places like Dollar Tree and Target.
Skopec said a full list of shopping tips for this holiday season can be found here.
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