Are profits and convenience being put before our children's safety?

Question

I remember years back lead being recognised as a danger to children and lead paint on toys was banned,lead soldiers that boys used to play with gave way to plastic,lead water pipes were replaced and some of us campaigned sucessfully (and against fierce opposition from many motorists I might add) to have lead removed from petrol.
Now it seems we are importing lead-coated toys from China -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6953490.stm

In America it wasn't only toys but even imported toothpaste was found to be contaminated and over here children's clothing is being coated with teflon and other chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin and do harm -

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq4JeGM6rYp609kCHKOF9kshBgx.?qid=20070815091933AAQMRm2

Shouldn't governments *and* parents make sure that the toys,the clothes as well as the food and toothpaste etc. they buy for their children are SAFE above all else and never mind that they are cheap or "non-iron" etc.

Well "ludacris r" I want those things dealt with too.
In fact if parents took more care about what they bought and didn't give in to children pestering them for the latest toys or "fashionable" clothing like teflon-coated school "cargo" shorts which can be dangerous (and the latter also are inappropriate for eight-year-olds and a copy of older teenage "fashions")and instead said "no" and bought what *they* (the parents) thought safe and appropriate then children would have less of the "I want,I want" attitude and so grow up more disciplined.
At the same time governments should ensure adequate safety checks on toys and clothes and so on - and also allow parents to discipline their children in the way that they see fit which also would cut the youth crime rate in the long run.

"adayinjanuary" - I don't mind *normal* pockets in shorts for hankerchiefs and so on - but not extra low ones (with the shorts extended to accomadate them and so make them look unsightly)designed for mobile 'phones for an *eight*-year-old - can't you see what I am saying?!

Answer 1

As a parent myself I totally agree,What the problem is that the labelling on a lot of products can be misleading or confusing.This where governments must step up to the mark.The other option being hire a chemist to do our shopping.

Answer 2

I do think the government should have strict guidelines to ensure toys and clothes are safe for children as we cannot always rely on parents being aware of what is or is not safe so if anything unsafe was removed from sale that should largely put a stop to it.
I realy believe that you get what you pay for whether it is toys, clothes etc and I would rather buy something decent and heard wearig than have to buy it twice!
I also feel there should be more press on issues that affect the environment so that everyone can be more aware a nd make imformed choices, for example I had no idea the amount of chemicals that are in disposable nappies but now that I do I will not be putting one near my babys botty!
People just assume everything is ok and dont look further into things and the government just trundles along even though the world is getting a worse place with more diseases, more crime, more obesity where will it all end?
What sort of planet will be left for our kids/grandkids etc?

Answer 3

I agree that we should do eveything that we can to avoid using products that may be harmful to our children. The thing is that we are not knowingly sacrificing our children's safety to save a buck! My daughter had a few of those toys that were recalled, but I never knew until the recall that there was lead paint used (nor did any other parent for that matter). I think this is just another reason why we should be purchasing more items made in our own country!!!!!

Answer 4

Z would say YES as even with lots of laws, while you are dealing with Chinese imports and big profits for the owner of the mark then you re going to get some abuse, I really do not believe the Chinese take a lot of care as long as the money comes in, they do not care about their own people so why should they worry about us, Oh an as I live in Switzerland apparently there is no law that says you can not sell faulty goods, so if a shop has these bad toys then there is nothing any one can do to stop them selling them.

Answer 5

The simple answer. Yes. The US (and likely other countries) want the most they can get for the least amount of money. That means that China has to use less than stellar materials.
Then they sell us the toys for lots of money and their profit is just lovely.

Answer 6

Sadly yes. Not only with toys but food, shampoo, bath products, face creams in fact any cosmetics the majority of them have nasty chemicals in then our wash detergents even the ones that are sold for sensitive skins. Profit before safety.

Answer 7

Oh good god Joan, not AGAIN with the teflon 'cargo' shorts?! There is nothing wrong with boys having pockets on their shorts, it's called fashion.

And the lead coated toys was an accident, hence why Hasbro are recalling all of the toys that they can.

Answer 8

Yes they are. Business cares more about stuffing their pockets full of cold hard cash then the deaths of a few million children from wobbly furniture, or cars that aren't safely equipped, or toys.

Answer 9

Liberal policies are directly responsible for the shootings of late(mass shootings). The closure of mental institutions, and closing of mental hospitals is the problem. These nut jobs could have been locked up, and medicated instead of roaming the streets and creating mayhem. But oh-no they have the right to not take the anti-psychotic meds that make them upstanding citizens.

Answer 10

I am a very picky parent, and have avoided alot of the recall pitfalls by buying quality over quantity. Cheap chinese imports are the bane of American business, and we will have to pay the piper soon.