PITTSFIELD, Mass. — MassPIRG is asking gift buyers to be vigilant in making sure toys bought for children this holiday season are safe.
The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group released its 30th annual report on toy safety in which it found dozens of toys inside local retail stores that are unsafe for children.
"The message today is clear: we need to protect America's youngest consumers from unsafe toys," said Michael Basmajian, of MassPIRG's Educational Fund. "We found examples of children's products that can poison or harm children."
The report released every year around Thanksgiving is intended to spread awareness of hazards and has led to 150 recalls nationwide. The leading cause of recalls is choking hazards, Basmajian said, with 19 recalls last year and 65 choking deaths in recent years.
"We are especially concerned with food toys because kids will feel like it should be eaten," he said.
Basmajian displayed a fairy wand purchased from a local Dollar Tree with a small gemstone in the middle that is easily broken off to become a hazard. The same goes for a G2 mini football and a "Finding Nemo" Dory figurine, both of which were purchased from 5 Below.
The organization also found a number of toys with incorrect labels. Balloons tend to be the biggest choking hazard and with three gifts from Party City, the group found warning labels reading that children under the age of 8 could choke while at the same time, the label read the product was suitable for children ages 3 and older.
The hazards were determined based on specifications released by the federal 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. However, Basmajian says the "choke tube" used to measure hazards should be enlarged because children have choked on items that fit the safety criteria. Further, he hopes the larger measurement used for small balls be expanded to food products.
He advises parents to use the tube of a toilet paper roll to measure toys or parts. If the part fits into the tube, he says the toy isn't suitable for children under the age of 3.
The report also looked for possible poisons, such as chrome found on a Slinky Jr. or phthalates (plasticizers) found on a Fun Bubble jump rope. He said those toys tested above the standards and could lead to health impact in children.
Basmajian also said one out of seven children between the ages of 6 and 17 have signs of hearing loss, some of which could be attributed to excessively loud toys.
"We found a number of toys are retailers like Target which are excessively loud," he said. "We're especially concerned about toy cell phones."
State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams, a former toy buyer for her family's wholesale company, said the dangerous toys are not just imports and many of the toys have "been around for decades."
"It's not just the cheapo toys. It is toys from all brands and you have to be vigilant," Cariddi said.
She advises parents to add a couple years to the label, so if the product says it is suitable for children 3 and older, consider it for children 5 and older.
Basmajian said the examples he found are only from the sampling the organization collected and that there could be many more out there. He calls for parents to inspect the toys carefully to look out for hazardous.
"We do believe our findings should serve as a precautionary warning to parents," he said.
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, emphasized the importance of such a report in getting the information and reminders out to parents. She said hazardous toys often tend to be lower-cost, which impacts low-income families the most. She also used the example of school grab bags to remind parents to inspect even the toys given to their children from someone else.
"It's up to the parent to really take a look at it to make sure it is safe," Farley-Bouvier said.
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.
Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.
The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.
It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.
Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.
Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street.
The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.
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Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
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