AkPIRG
alerted officials to the unsafe conditions existing on Alaska's
playgrounds. We initiated an "Adopt a Playground"
program to get more citizens and community groups involved with
maintaining safe equipment on Alaska's playgrounds. Tremendous
progress has been made with the Anchorage City Parks and Recreation
in implementing Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations
on city playgrounds. The film, "Equipment Unsafe" and the
booklet, Consumer Handbook for Playground Safety, both produced
by AkPIRG, have played a major part in heightening citizen awareness
of this situation. Alaska's playground safety program has been
extended to Juneau, Fairbanks and other Alaskan cities and villages.
The fight continues at daycare centers and other private playgrounds.
AkPIRG successfully lobbied for the Anchorage School District's
recent $3,000,000 bond and the Anchorage municipality's $250,000
city bond to upgrade playgrounds. As a result, Anchorage
Parks and Recreation installed two entirely new playgrounds and
has pledged new equipment and resurfacing for 23 parks which contain
serious play hazards. AkPIRG urged the first national certification
program in Alaska for over 55 playground professionals.
AkPIRG's playground safety expert, Cate Remme, consults internationally
and has received national recognition for her efforts.
Documents:
How
can parents be sure that a toy is safe? It is not always easy
to tell. Some safety standards -- like the prohibition of the
use of lead paint, or insulation standards for electric toys
-- are not always apparent to the eye. Most toys are packaged
in ways that make it difficult for the purchaser to check. And
most consumers just do not know what to look out for when toy
shopping.
When
purchasing toys for young children, consumers should check for
small parts that may choke or cords that may strangle. And while
our report focuses on toys with small parts, parents should
beware of toys with other types of hazards as well.
Toys
with Small Parts: Look for a "no-choke testing tube" at
better toy stores. To see if an object is potentially dangerous
because of its size, place it -- without compressing it -- into
the tube. If it fits entirely within the tube in any orientation,
it should not get into the hands of children under the age of
three.
However, remember that children have choked on toys that technically
pass this cylinder test. If you have a child that tends to put
things in her mouth, avoid toys that are smaller than the child's
fist or fit through a toilet paper roll. Be conscious of objects
that have potentially dangerous small parts: removable eyes
and noses on stuffed toys and dolls; small, removable squeakers
on squeeze toys; and little figures and pieces fitted into larger
toys.
Balloons/Small
Balls/Marbles: Keep these small toys away from young children.
Crib
toys: Examine crib toys for possible strangulation hazards,
look at the labelling of the toy and at the length of any cords
or strings. Crib gyms (toys that are stretched across the crib)
should always be removed from the crib when babies can get up
on hands and knees (5 months old). Crib toys should not have
cords or strings longer than 6".
Strangulation
Hazards: Strings, cords, and necklaces can strangle infants.
Infant toys that include cords can present a strangulation hazard
if the cord is put around an infant's neck.
Sharp
Points and Edges: Toys with sharp points or edges can lacerate,
cut or puncture skin and should be kept away from children under
age eight. These toys must carry a warning label.
Projectiles:
Projectiles can lacerate skin or blind or deafen a child who
is struck in the eye or ear.
|
