Public Health advises public to
keep away from ‘recalled’ toys
PHILIPSBURG--The Public Health Inspection has called on businesses in the Netherlands Antilles that are about to import children’s toys, especially with the upcoming Christmas season in mind, to “take due note” of the growing need to recall different children’s toys in the USA and Europe, and not to import and put on the market any of these toys.
In a press release Monday, the Curaçao-based Inspection Department noted that experts had confirmed a high level of lead in the paint in the toys and explained that “lead is considerably poisonous to people in general, but to children in particular.”
It said investigations had shown that lead could have a negative influence on a child’s intellectual development.
It also noted that some of the recalled toys contained magnets that could become detached easily and that little children could swallow and consequently choke on.
It said various Fisher Price and Mattel toys fabricated in China fell into this category and the specific toys could be found on the Websites
www.service.mattel.com and
www.fisher.price.com . The toys of the other labels and be found on
www.cpsc.org .
“In order to give the public an idea which children’s toys have been recalled, we will mention a few most popular and liked amongst children. They are the Fisher Price toys ‘Elmo,’ ‘Big Bird’ and ‘Ernie’ from the well-known TV programme ‘Sesame Street’ and the toys from ‘Dora the Explorer,’” the department explained.
The Mattel toys taken out of the market are Polly Pocket dolls, Batman and Doggie Day Care.
Toys from other labels that have been recalled include Thomas & Friends buckets, a few “Sponge Bob” exercise books containing a metal string that holds the leaves together, bracelets and chains with white and pink beads for children packed in “Toby & Me” boxes of which the bronze-coloured metal also contains high lead levels.
The department continued: “Considering that the Sinterklaas festivities are approaching, the Public Health Inspection calls on all businessmen who are about to import children’s toys to take due note of the recall of the toys mentioned and not to buy these toys or put them on our market.”
The department also urged parents to be very alert when buying toys for their children and to preferably not buy any of the toys listed as having been recalled.
“If parents have already bought one of these toys, they are advised to take it away from the child immediately and carry it back to the store. In case of doubt, you can, at all times, contact The Public Health Inspection, Department of Inspection for Health Protection,” it advised.
