Finding an entertaining or educational toy for a young child this Christmas should bring happiness, not anxiety about potential dangers.

Yet, we face warnings once more about serious risks that parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents may overlook while holiday shopping. Spot something adorable online? It’s wise to reconsider, as a low price might hide a lack of proper safety measures.

The latest “Trouble in Toyland” report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund points out that while online shopping has made it easier, it can also lead to unnoticed dangers with certain toys. The rise in cheap, direct-to-consumer products poses risks for children and consumers alike.

Of course, we’re not referring to toys crafted specifically by Santa’s elves in his workshop at the North Pole.

There is some encouraging news: Most conventional toys like stuffed animals, board games, dolls, and building blocks have improved in safety, as a growing number of manufacturers and U.S. sellers adhere to stricter laws enacted in 2008 and other safety standards, according to the “Trouble In Toyland” report.

A U.S. Trade Loophole Poses Risks for Toy Safety

One concerning issue is the increase in toys sold online that may come straight from foreign manufacturers who know how to cut costs and evade safety regulation checks. It can also be tricky to identify counterfeit products when purchasing from international vendors.

In some instances, sellers intentionally take advantage of the “de minimis tariff loophole” for lower-cost items, as mentioned in the “Trouble in Toyland” report.

Many of us don’t realize how complex trade regulations impact our online shopping when trying to find unique items or save money on popular toys.

This trade provision allows foreign companies to ship items in bulk while claiming the value is below a specific limit, enabling them to enter the U.S. without tariffs and evade safety checks.

Critics argue that this loophole facilitates the arrival of cheap products to U.S. consumers via e-commerce but also heightens safety risks.

Shipments qualify for the de minimis exemption if the cumulative retail value of the imported items is $800 or less.

The Biden Administration indicated in September its intention to address the increased exploitation of this provision to ensure that items that should be subject to tariffs under trade law are not improperly classified as de minimis.

“Certain companies use the de minimis to hide shipments containing illegal and dangerous products, evading compliance with U.S. health and safety regulations,” stated a Biden administration fact sheet.

“Others exploit it to sidestep U.S. trade enforcement actions meant to create a fair marketplace for American workers and businesses.”

The amount of international shipments claiming exemptions from inspection has skyrocketed from 140 million annually to 1 billion over the past ten years, according to federal data.

Recently, U.S. safety officials called for an investigation into the e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein after reports indicated that dangerous baby products are readily available on these platforms. Consumer advocates are also scrutinizing other sellers.

Consumers might expect that safety standards for toys are enforced online as they are in brick-and-mortar stores, but safety experts say this is not always the case, especially when shopping through online marketplaces featuring numerous third-party vendors.

Finding Toy Safety Alerts

It’s crucial for consumers to be informed about their purchases and the online stores they buy from.

A comprehensive list of recalls and safety warnings for a variety of products—including rugs, clothing, crib bumpers, toys, Christmas lights, and electronics—can be found at www.cpsc.gov/recalls.

For instance, a seemingly charming and colorful board may have small pieces that could detach, posing a choking risk. Alternatively, a playful toy featuring colorful magnet balls may have hazardous loose magnets that could cause serious injury or death if swallowed by children. Or consider the $9 magnetic chess set that doesn’t adhere to safety standards.

All these toys, which were shipped from abroad, failed to meet U.S. safety regulations, leading to various warnings from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding toy-related injuries and fatalities associated with specific products.

“Just because something is cute, it doesn’t mean it’s safe to buy,” cautioned Teresa Murray, consumer advocate for the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

Murray added that the product safety agency has requested.

There have been recent concerns surrounding a recall involving busy boards, magnets, and magnetic chess sets. However, the companies have opted not to initiate a recall. While warnings have been issues, many individuals remain unaware of these alerts unless they conduct their own research.

Mystery Shoppers Discover Problematic Toys

Murray pointed out that it is against the law to sell any recalled toy or product. Some toys may contain lead. Yet the “Trouble in Toyland” report indicates that for the third consecutive year, they were able to purchase recalled toys online without difficulty.

The report reveals that researchers successfully purchased three recalled toys. These include: the Little People Mickey and Friends figure set, Miniverse Make It Mini Sets featuring Unused Liquid Resins, and Fisher-Price’s Dumbbell toy. The first two were acquired through eBay, while the third was found on Facebook Marketplace.

In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, confiscated over 1.1 million hazardous or illegal toys. Nevertheless, many products continue to escape regulation and may end up in children’s playrooms.

How Consumers Can Safeguard Children

During the holiday shopping season, consumers might find the following advice helpful:

• Stay informed about various safety alerts, such as those regarding water beads. These small, colorful items are frequently used in floral arrangements, crafts, and as sensory tools for children with developmental challenges. The danger arises when these beads expand up to 100 times their size in water. Federal safety authorities have reported nearly 7,000 emergency room visits for water bead-related ingestion injuries between 2018 and 2022 and noted that swallowing these beads contributed to the death of a 10-month-old girl last year.
• Visit the official website of a brand to verify a list of authorized sellers. If a seller isn’t listed, the item might be counterfeit, especially if it’s being offered at a steep discount.
• Take the time to thoroughly review the return policy. If an item cannot be returned, consider whether it’s worth the risk to purchase.
• While vintage toys may evoke nostalgia, PIRG advises caution regarding toys manufactured before 2008. This is when the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was enacted, which has led to safer toys by setting limits on lead, phthalates, and heavy metals, as well as requiring third-party testing.
• Regularly check if toys already in your home have been subject to recalls.
• Although the production of high-powered tiny magnets is now banned, PIRG emphasizes that existing magnets in homes are still a concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that households with children or teenagers should not have tiny magnets.
• Be aware of shipping times. If an item takes several weeks to arrive, it may be coming from overseas, which could mean it has not undergone proper safety inspections.