Duncan Announces Annual Unsafe Toy Sweep

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

St/toysweep.pr 00-436

Contact: Sue Tucker, 240-777-6530 or
Sue Rogan, 240-777-3722

For Immediate Release: November 27, 2000

DUNCAN ANNOUNCES ANNUAL
UNSAFE TOY SWEEP

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today launched the County's sixth annual unsafe toy sweep during a news conference at the Kay Bee Toy Store at Westfield Shoppingtown's Montgomery Mall. Conducted by the County's Division of Consumer Affairs, the effort ensures that toys recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are not being sold in local stores this holiday season.

Last year, Montgomery County initiated the "Safe Toy Partner" program, which enables retailers to sign a partnership agreement with Montgomery County indicating their willingness to identify and remove unsafe products from their shelves. In the past year, 14 toy stores have signed on to the program. In exchange, retailers display the Safe Toy Partner seal in their store.

"I'm delighted that this program has been such a success and that so many toy stores have signed on to participate," said Duncan. "While the County's consumer investigators have found that most toy stores in Montgomery County are doing an excellent job in removing problem products, this new program recognizes their efforts and rewards stores that aggressively check for safety."

The following tips are offered to consumers concerning holiday toy safety:

· Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.

· Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, nose, and other potential small parts.

· Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you and, when appropriate, to the child.

· Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately, before they become deadly playthings.

To become a Safe Toy Partner, stores are required to agree to the following conditions:

1. Implement a regular, periodic inspection program to ensure no toy is the subject of a safety recall.

2. Remove any recalled toy from sales and label the toy with a notice.

3. Provide a full refund to consumers who return a recalled toy.

4. Support public awareness of toy safety issues by participating in the annual Toy Sweep for unsafe toys. 5. Cooperate in resolving any consumer complaints.

6. Agree not to violate the Safe Toy Partner requirements or risk being removed from the program.

The Division of Consumer Affairs will maintain a list of Safe Toy Partners for public distribution and retailers will be allowed to use the Safe Toy Partner seal in their advertising. The following toy stores have signed an agreement with the County: KayBee Montessori in Gaithersburg; Kay Bee Toy Stores at Montgomery Mall, Lakeforest Mall, Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton, White Flint Mall and City Place; Learning Express in Germantown and Burtonsville; Toys, Etc. in Potomac; Toys R Us in Wheaton; Toys Unique in Potomac; Whirligigs & Whimsies in Bethesda; and Zany Brainy in Gaithersburg and Rockville.

For more information about Montgomery County's Unsafe Toy Sweep or toy safety, contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 240-777-3722. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission hotline number is 1-800-638-2772 for information and to report dangerous products or product-related injuries. Additional information is available on the commission's website at www.cpsc.gov.

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