Who is responsible for the latest recalls from China and what can we as consumers do about it?
How frustrated are you by the current flood of toy recalls by Mattel? Come to think 0f it, I'm not frustrated, I'm downright angry! We've all heard the public-affairs generated pabulum the head of Mattel is dishing to every news network that will listen, but my questions would go just a little deeper than the 15-second sound bites I've been hearing.
How in the world can he truthfully say they have diligent over-sight of all vendors who do work for them when they had no clue what type of components were being used in the manufacture of their products? I don't know,as a business person myself, I think i would have, say - a contract - stating my company's standards - and I would make sure (through diligent over-sight, of course), that these standards were upheld by the vendor and/or sub-contractor.
Mattel is said to have the tightest and highest standards in the toy making business - very scary for parents who now are faced with taking 19 million toys out of their homes!
The two problems found with the toys are: 1. They were slathered with lead paint and 2. Contain tiny magnets which can dislodged and be swallowed by unsuspecting little ones. The danger in lead paint is permanent and can lead to brain damage, slowed growth and a multitude of other symptoms the federal government long ago pointed out to citizens at large. I guess Mattel missed that memo.
Swallowed magnets do not pose a problem until two are swallowed - and they tend to do what magnets do - when they attract eachother, they will crimp bowels, or other organs in the child's tiny body - and that is not a good situation - and that is putting it mildly.
The one bright and shining voice of reason on the news this morning is saying not to panic. I agree. Little Johnny has probably not ingested enough lead paint to affect him - but I would still be very careful and take some of the following steps:
- Log on to www.servic.mattell.com to see the list of toys included in the recall.
- Go through your child's toy box (let's face it, it needs it anyway), and get rid of all the broken, loose parts. Pay special attention to anything with a magnet (i.e. Polly Pockets).
- If your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms of lead poisoning, contact your pediatrician for a simple blood gtest which can detect lead in the child's system.
All of that being said, I am still angry. Why? Because I feel we have been let down. Not by our government, but by the manufacturers going outside the country to keep their costs down and importing toothpaste and toys and tires that are not up to safety codes set by our governement. There seems to be a wide-spread attitude in business today that if they call for bids - they only have to accept the lowest bid without furthuer investigation, without an on-site visit-without investigating the components being used in products they are importing.
This isn't a failure ont he part of the government, but on the individual companies themselves. They are the people who have failed us. I am not sure of the solution, but I do know any company importing goods not up to our safety standards should be fined - fined heavily with a continuing non-compliance ending in incarceration and personal fines for the company president.
Whew! I feel better - what do you think?
