December is National Safe Toys & Gifts Month. When you shop for toys or get gifts for kids, watch out for lead – it is dangerous for kids. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is found in nature and is used in many products. If children touch or put things with lead in their mouths, it can hurt their development and health, and make it harder for them to grow, learn and pay attention.
Simple steps that can make holiday shopping and gift giving safer:
- Be careful with toys made in other countries
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- Some toys made in other countries may not follow safety rules or regulations
- Watch out for older toys (made before 2009)
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- In 2008, laws changed to make children’s products safer
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- Toys made before 2009 may have more lead in them
- Check toys closely and don’t buy or use ones with peeling paint or chips
- Use the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website to see if a toy or brand you are interested in has been recalled (taken off the market) for lead or other hazards
- Wash toys often, especially ones that babies or little kids may put in their mouths
In addition to lead, there are other safety things to think about when buying toys and gifts. To learn more visit HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): How to Buy Safe Toys English | Spanish
Where to find information about recalls:
You can look up toy recalls on the CPSC website through their ‘Recalls & Products Safety Warnings’ webpage.
Tip: Pick ‘Lead’ for Hazard in the search engine to see the most recent lead related product recalls.
What to Do with a Recalled Product:
- Stop using it right away
- Follow instructions from the company on how to return or throw it away safely
- Keep the product away from children
If you think your child may have been exposed to lead:
- Talk to your child’s doctor about blood lead testing.
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- Children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Blood lead testing is the only way to determine if a child has lead poisoning.
Learn more about getting your child tested for lead:
CDPH: Getting Your Child Tested for Lead English/Spanish | English/Vietnamese
Learn more about the sources of lead:
Every Parent OC: Keep Your Child Safe from Lead
California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Check for Lead in or Around Your Home English/Spanish
Other Resources
OC Health Care Agency Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OC CLPPP) provides free case management and environmental investigations for children with higher lead levels, community outreach, and education to keep you informed about lead poisoning prevention.
- Call OC CLPPP at (714) 567-6220
- Email OC CLPPP at Lead@ochca.com
- Visit OC CLPPP’s webpage
