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| Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch (518) 473-9472 | For Immediate Release: November 19, 2007 |
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CONSUMERS URGED TO E-MAIL LETTER OF SUPPORT
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The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is calling on the public to
send in an e-mail letter of support petitioning manufacturers and retailers to
step up their own responsibilities when it comes to assuring that toys are safe.
The e-mail letter is part of the CPB’s push for independent testing of toys that
toymakers intend to bring to the marketplace as part of the month-long
Safe Toys NY campaign in commemoration of National Toy Safety
Awareness Month.
“Advocacy, action and awareness are imperative when it comes to the safety of New York’s children,” said CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Mindy Bockstein. “The increased number of toys and other products being recalled has impelled us to seek remedies and action by those who bring these items to the marketplace. Governor Spitzer called upon the CPB to take action on behalf of New York consumers, and we, in turn, are calling upon the industry to raise their own safety standards for toy production before toys are sold to the public. By working together with those involved in offering and selling toys to the public, the CPB hopes to help restore trust in the toys with which we love to play.” Advocacy The e-mail letter campaign requests New York consumers to join with the CPB in calling upon toy manufacturers and retailers to increase their standards and oversight of toy production. Instructions for participation in this important consumer action initiative and a sample letter are available on the CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. Consumers may use the sample or write their own letter and send it to the CPB at toytesting@consumer.state.ny.us. The e-mail campaign is ultimately directed to toy manufacturers, importers, suppliers, retailers and secondary marketers, asking them to collaborate on:
In order to further increase awareness of the importance of toy testing with consumers and toymakers, the CPB is launching a public service ad campaign, the first of which is being sent to print media and public libraries. The ad involves young children requesting toymakers to test toys before they are sold. Parents and other adults are also encouraged to take action to support independent toy testing and work with the CPB to achieve this objective. Awareness The CPB launched the Safe Toys NY program at the start of November in an effort to educate consumers about toy recalls. Information about the entire program is available on the CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov, and updated daily. Participation in the program by providing recall feedback to recallfeedback@nysconsumer.gov, e-mailing the CPB at toytesting@consumer.state.ny.us to show support for the Agency’s advocacy for toy testing by manufacturers, retailers and others, using the Toy Safety Inventory Checklist to catalog their toys, entering kids in the poster contest, reading about toy safety information or by becoming a Consumer Crusader advocate is strongly encouraged for a better and safer New York State. The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the Do Not Call law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission (PSC) and other State and federal agencies. |