2008 Woodie Awards
Locals watch for recalled toys
Kelli Shaffner - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
The Salvation Army of Des Moines needs volunteers to check all donated children's toys before the organization gives them away.
Amy DeCastro, the assistant coordinator, said all the toys must be checked before they are distributed because of the recent scare regarding the large numbers of recalled toys. Because all the toys the Salvation Army receives are secondhand and come from various organizations, workers do it "just to be safe," she said.
Those at the Salvation Army are not the only ones to take precautions when dealing with previously used toys.
Sara Sundblad, the manager of Stuff Etc. consignment shop in Coralville, said she keeps up with the recalls by subscribing to a website that alerts her with e-mails about which toys have been recalled.
"It makes it real easy to print off and keep it organized," she said.
Sundbald said to her knowledge her store has never had a customer buy a recalled toy, but she received an e-mail just that morning with around six additional toys on the list.
"If they could prove we sold it, we would make it right with them," she said.
Self-proclaimed "thrifty shopper" Angie Lana said that although she buys most children's toys at consignment stores, she is able to stay away from those hazards almost completely by purchasing mostly wooden trinkets instead of newer items.
"Toys that require more imagination," she said, while shopping in Kidworks, 111 Stevens Drive.
Jewelry is one of the main types that frequent the recall list, Kidworks owner Susan Riedl said.
"Some toys we see on a regular basis, but there are things we've probably never seen," she said. "You can't always keep on top, look over, and determine everything that comes through."
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 29 different categories of recalled toys.
Kim Vanpelt at the Childcare Center for Therapy said her organization often buys secondhand toys, many from Kidworks, to save money.
Workers at the center make sure the toys are easy to wash and easily sanitized before purchasing them, she said.
"We're picky in that aspect," Vanpelt said.
And workers do print out the up-to-date list about every week, she said, "just to be aware."
Riedl said her store uses the recall website, a running book, and workers' memories to keep track of all the toys that come through.
"Some are pretty easy to call," she said. "Thomas the Train, winding toys, little cars, and vehicles. At this point, we're pretty reluctant to take jewelry aimed at children."
She refers consumers and sellers to product-safety commissions, in addition to encouraging screening at the front end of the process - "whether it be here or somewhere else."
E-mail DI reporter Kelli Shaffner at:
kelli-shaffner@uiowa.edu
Amy DeCastro, the assistant coordinator, said all the toys must be checked before they are distributed because of the recent scare regarding the large numbers of recalled toys. Because all the toys the Salvation Army receives are secondhand and come from various organizations, workers do it "just to be safe," she said.
Those at the Salvation Army are not the only ones to take precautions when dealing with previously used toys.
Sara Sundblad, the manager of Stuff Etc. consignment shop in Coralville, said she keeps up with the recalls by subscribing to a website that alerts her with e-mails about which toys have been recalled.
"It makes it real easy to print off and keep it organized," she said.
Sundbald said to her knowledge her store has never had a customer buy a recalled toy, but she received an e-mail just that morning with around six additional toys on the list.
"If they could prove we sold it, we would make it right with them," she said.
Self-proclaimed "thrifty shopper" Angie Lana said that although she buys most children's toys at consignment stores, she is able to stay away from those hazards almost completely by purchasing mostly wooden trinkets instead of newer items.
"Toys that require more imagination," she said, while shopping in Kidworks, 111 Stevens Drive.
Jewelry is one of the main types that frequent the recall list, Kidworks owner Susan Riedl said.
"Some toys we see on a regular basis, but there are things we've probably never seen," she said. "You can't always keep on top, look over, and determine everything that comes through."
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 29 different categories of recalled toys.
Kim Vanpelt at the Childcare Center for Therapy said her organization often buys secondhand toys, many from Kidworks, to save money.
Workers at the center make sure the toys are easy to wash and easily sanitized before purchasing them, she said.
"We're picky in that aspect," Vanpelt said.
And workers do print out the up-to-date list about every week, she said, "just to be aware."
Riedl said her store uses the recall website, a running book, and workers' memories to keep track of all the toys that come through.
"Some are pretty easy to call," she said. "Thomas the Train, winding toys, little cars, and vehicles. At this point, we're pretty reluctant to take jewelry aimed at children."
She refers consumers and sellers to product-safety commissions, in addition to encouraging screening at the front end of the process - "whether it be here or somewhere else."
E-mail DI reporter Kelli Shaffner at:
kelli-shaffner@uiowa.edu
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