Safety Recall: Connecting the "Aqua Dots"

When did keeping our children safe become the most difficult task on earth? It used to be that we were concerned about them crossing the street, playing with matches, and fastening their seatbelts. At Safety4Kids, we're still obsessed with these safety concerns, and many others, and now we add to the list the growing number of downright dangerous toys, most of which are manufactured overseas. It's hard to know exactly what to do.

The latest recall is for "Aqua Dots", known in Australia as "Bindeez," also known as "Toy of the Year." Ever feel like you're living a Twilight Zone episode? The circumstances are extraordinary.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, reeling from its own problems, has a long list of recalled toys to deal with as the holiday season approaches. We asked Dr. Carl Baum, to weigh in on this latest epidemic affecting children: Unsafe Toys! Here's what he has to say about "Aqua Dots".

"It seems to have become a weekly routine: another recall of lead-contaminated toys. But the recent announcement that a chemical in the Aqua Dots toy, when ingested, is metabolized to the date-rape drug GHB, was a real surprise. Who could have imagined that Australia's 2007 Toy of the Year could pose such a hazard? The good news is that affected children who are brought to medical attention in short order, and receive appropriate supportive care, seem to do well as the chemical is rapidly metabolized, consistent with our experience with GHB.

This latest twist on the old Mickey Finn knock-out concept, however unintentional in this case, reminds us that innovation may have associated--and sometimes hidden--risks. And parents should be mindful of the fact that the small beads in the Aqua Dots toy could represent a serious choking hazard to younger children in the household."

Buyer beware. And be safe!

(c) Safety4Kids

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