Duncan Announces Launch Of

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

eb/toypr.pr 99-419

Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Sue Rogan, 240-777-3722

For Immediate Release: November 29, 1999

DUNCAN ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF "SAFE TOY PARTNER"
PROGRAM AT ANNUAL UNSAFE TOY SWEEP

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today launched the "Safe Toy Partner" program during the County's fifth annual toy sweep during a morning news conference at the Zany Brainy toy store in Rockville. To become a Safe Toy Partner, retailers must sign a partnership agreement with Montgomery County indicating their willingness to identify and remove unsafe products and meet other requirements. In exchange, retailers will be able to display the Safe Toy Partner seal in their store.

"I'm proud to launch this new initiative to further ensure the safety of our children - not just during the holidays, but all year round," said Duncan. "The County's consumer investigators have found that most toy stores in Montgomery County are already doing an excellent job in removing problem products. The new Safe Toy Partner program will recognize their efforts, reward stores that aggressively check for safety, and help consumers identify responsible retailers."

Duncan previewed the Safe Toy Partner seal that participating stores can display in their window when they have met all the Safe Toy Partner requirements. To become a Safe Toy Partner, stores are required to agree to the following conditions. They must:

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.

Every year, investigators from the County's Division of Consumer Affairs inspect stores that sell toys to make sure that items on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's list of unsafe and recalled products are not available for purchase in Montgomery County. The effort ensures that recalled toys are not being sold in local stores this holiday season.

Ann Brown, chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), spoke about the need for the public, as well as stores, to be aware of recalls. "Hazardous products can pose a danger to consumers of death or serious injury," said Brown. "Montgomery County is doing a great job in monitoring the stores to protect the public."

A mock 'yard sale' table displaying samples of recalled toys was set up in Zany Brainy by the Division of Consumer Affairs. "The yard sale table represents another way consumers can purchase toys. We want citizens to know about problem products so they can protect themselves. Yard sale and thrift store operators are not in the toy business, so they may be unaware of recalls and product standards," said Consumer Affairs Division Chief George Rose.

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

Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.

Look for sturdy construction and avoid toys with the potential for small parts to become detached.

Check instructions for clarity, both for you and the child.

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

For more information, call Sue Rogan, Montgomery County Division of Consumer Affairs, at 240-777-3722. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission hotline number is 1-800-638-2772 for information or 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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