see also: in November 2005 Press Releases:   CBP Air, Border Patrol Win 2005 USIC Awards   Aduanas y Proteccion Fronteriza Recomiendan Tramitar con Tiempo Permiso I-94 Durante Epoca Decembrina   CBP Urges Mexican Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly 2 Kilos of Cocaine at Newark Liberty International Airport   Calexico Port of Entry to Process I-94 Permits for Mexican Holiday Travelers Immediately   Puerto de Calexico Procesara Permisos I-94 de Manera Expedita a Viajeros Durante Epoca Navideña ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Washington, D.C. – ‘Tis the season for parents and families to head to the nation’s toy stores with hopes of finding the perfect gift for the holidays. To ensure the safest shopping experience for all consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been working at the ports and in the homeland to track down and stop dangerous toys from finding their way to store shelves. While the government is doing its part to protect young children from hazardous toys, parents and grandparents can contribute to their family’s safety by being an educated shopper.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the first line of defense against dangerous or unauthorized goods coming into the country.

“CBP and CPSC work cooperatively to examine, sample, and test shipments of goods to prevent any consumer product that presents a substantial product hazard from entering the commerce of the United States,” said Vera Adams, Executive Director, Trade Enforcement and Facilitation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Our Customs and Border Protection Officers seize goods, including toys, that represent a danger to public health and safety and goods that violate intellectual property rights which cost the U.S. economy $200 to $250 billion in lost profits and revenue,” Adams indicated.

Ms. Adams joined U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Hal Stratton at a press conference today in Washington, D.C.

“As we enter the holiday season, kids around the nation will be making their lists of must-have toys,” said U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Hal Stratton. “But what a child wants may not always be the best choice when it comes to safety.”

Stratton advises that parents and caregivers shop smart to find gifts this holiday season that will both please a child and keep them safe.

CPSC has reports of 16 toy-related deaths involving children under age 15 that occurred in 2004. Most of these deaths occurred when a child choked on balls or in incidents involving tricycles. Also, in 2004, an estimated 210,300 children were treated for toy-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.

CPSC recommends using the following tips to help choose appropriate toys for children:

• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.
• For infants, toddlers and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts, which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
• Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
• For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
• Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under 8.
• Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
• Check toy instructions for clarity – for both you and, when appropriate, the child.
• Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.

Consumers also should check that their gift lists do not include any of the recalled toys or children’s products on CPSC’s checklist. Check for product recalls on CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov. At the Web site, consumers can keep up-to-date on dangerous products by signing up to have recall announcements sent directly to their email account. Choose to receive all recall announcements or just children’s product recalls only. Consumers also can call CPSC’s toll-free hotline at (800) 638-CPSC. For information about all types of recalls, visit www.recalls.gov.

For information on counterfeit products and intellectual property rights violations visit the CBP website at www.cbp.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.