Recalled toys being sold again on internet

When toys are so dangerous or defective that they are recalled, manufacturers and parents scramble quickly to get the items out of children’s hands.

But a growing trend is that more of these toys are suddenly appearing on eBay and Facebook Marketplace for resale. The problem is the items are not marked as having been recalled — and many parents are unaware of the problem.

“Nobody is keeping track or policing the internet right now,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Monday. “The Consumer Product Safety Commission should be empowered to take action, but it has failed to do so because it views its powers as restricted. … The simple fact is right now it falls on parents and caregivers.”

Blumenthal appeared Monday at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford to talk about the annual report on dangerous Christmas toys, which he has been doing since his days as state attorney general. With the gift-buying season in full swing, officials wanted to spread the word about dangerous toys that can cause injuries.

For 38 years, a national report has been generated by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, known as “Trouble in Toyland.” The report consistently cites choking hazards from small parts in toys that have become dangerous. This year, Blumenthal focused on button batteries and water beads as he urged parents and caregivers to be extra careful during a happy season of gift giving.

Parents and others, he said, are often unaware when they are buying toys on the internet and they do not search for the list of recalled toys.

“No notice, no warning, no information,” Blumenthal said. “It’s a recipe for disaster and tragedy.”

Under federal law, various websites are protected with immunity from liability for products that are sold.

Blumenthal sent a letter in September to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, asking officials to remove dangerous water bead toys from the market as thousands of children have suffered injuries and at least one died. He wants to ban the sale of the beads.

“Water beads, often marketed to parents as safe and educational toys for children, can expand up to the size of a tennis ball if swallowed, leading to life-threatening intestinal blockages, lifelong injuries, and even death,” Blumenthal’s office said.

Blumenthal was joined by two mothers, Trista Hamsmith, founder of Reese’s Purpose, and Ashley Haugen, founder of That Water Bead Lady, who urged parents to be vigilant around their children as accidents can happen quickly.

“We know that injuries are the number one reason why kids are hurt or killed every year,” said Bob Duncan, chief operating officer at Connecticut Children’s. “The vast majority of these injuries are preventable. … We have to be leaders in not only taking care of kids when they’re injured, but also in preventing these injuries from happening in the first place.”

While the issue is highlighted during the December gift-buying season for Christmas and Hanukkah, Blumenthal noted that problems can arise year round.

“Children are at risk every hour of every day,” Blumenthal told reporters. “We want to warn parents, caregivers, grandparents, anybody out there buying toys for kids — make sure they’re safe. An unsafe choice can turn a holiday spectacular fun-filled gathering into a tragedy and an emergency room visit. And it happens.”

Amy Watkins, director of Safe Kids Connecticut at Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center, also urged caution for gift buyers.

“This is a wonderful time of year,” Watkins said. “We’re feeling thankful. We’re feeling generous. The last thing that we want is for one of our gifts to cause harm. … Another concern that comes up each year is choking. There are deaths each year from balloons as the senator reminds us every year. These are horrible, senseless deaths. Parents should check and make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards before they settle on their perfect toy.”

Christopher Keating can be reached at [email protected]