Toys"R"Us

Toys“R”Us Showcases “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism”

For more than 15 years, Toys“R”Us has partnered with the National Lekotek Center to develop the Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. This complimentary resource guide is released each fall and offers dozens of toys that can help kids with special needs develop necessary skills, including auditory, creativity, fine motor, gross motor, language, self esteem, social, tactile, thinking and visual skills.

As part of the Toys“R”Us, Inc. campaign to raise awareness for Autism Speaks, the company developed a special edition of the Guide that identifies “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism.” Each of these items promotes the development of several of the above skills and allows children with autism spectrum disorders to play alongside their siblings and friends. These everyday toys are readily available in Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and can truly make a difference in the lives of children affected by autism.

Toys featured in the “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism” include:

• Deluxe Nesting and Stacking Blocks from Melissa & Doug


• Dunk ’n Cheer Basketball from Fisher-Price


• TaDoodles Washable All-in-One Paints from Crayola Beginnings


• My First Story Reader from Publications International


• What’s in Ned’s Head? from Fundex


• Kid K’Nex Undersea Pals & Country Friends Sets from K’Nex


• Locks & Latches Board from Melissa & Doug


• Candy Land Castle Game from Milton Bradley


• GeoTrax Grand Central Station from Fisher-Price


• KidiZoom Camera from Vtech

Each item is pictured along with recognizable icons that represent the skills it helps children to develop. The “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism” are a testament to the fact that children can be impacted by the power of play. Click here to view the “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism”:
http://blogs.toysrus.com/autismspeaks/2009/03/toysrus-showcases-ten-toys-that-speak-to-autism.html

Safe Strap

Shopping Cart Safety
Hidden Dangers

Like falling televisions and the risk of backing over a child with an SUV, shopping cart injuries are a hidden danger in the sense that many parents simply don't think that shopping carts are a real hazard to their kids. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 'shopping cart–related injuries to children are common and can result in severe injury or even death.'
In fact, over 24,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for shopping cart related injuries in 2005, most for injuries to their head and neck. Specific injuries included fractures, contusions, and lacerations.

Children in shopping carts can be hurt, for example, if the shopping cart tips over or if they:

• fall out of the shopping cart
• fall off the outside of the shopping cart
• get entrapped in a shopping cart
• get run over by a shopping cart
• get struck by a shopping cart

Shopping Cart Safety

To keep your kids safe when shopping, if you are going to place your child in a shopping cart, it can help to:

• use the shopping cart seat belt
• never allow your child to stand up in the shopping cart, ride in the front basket, or ride the outside of the shopping cart
• always supervise your child when she is in the shopping cart and don't leave her unattended, even for just a few minutes. This is especially important if you have more than one child with you, since an older sibling can easily tip the shopping cart over if he tries to push it, climb inside, or get something out of the shopping cart.
• never place your infant carrier on top of the shopping cart, which may make it more likely to tip over
• use a shopping cart that is designed for young children, including larger, special models that have separate seats for kids

Even better than placing your child in a shopping cart though, especially if you have more than one child with you while shopping, you might look for an alternative to using shopping carts, which can include a supervised play area, putting your child in a stroller, backpack, wagon, etc., or simply have your older toddler or preschooler walk.

If possible, you might also try to get somebody to watch your kids while you are shopping so that you don't even have to bring them to the store with you.

Keep in mind that the AAP now states that 'parents are strongly encouraged to seek alternatives to transporting their child in a shopping cart until an effective revised performance standard for shopping cart safety is implemented in the United States,' so they are basically saying that you really shouldn't place your child in a shopping cart any longer.

Hopefully, shopping cart safety design changes that are being called for by the AAP will also make a big difference in the future.

---
By Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com
Created: August 12, 2006


References:

1. Policy Statement. Shopping Cart–Related Injuries to Children. PEDIATRICS Vol. 118 No. 2 August 2006, pp. 825-827
2. Technical Report. Shopping Cart–Related Injuries to Children. PEDIATRICS Vol. 118 No. 2 August 2006, pp. e540-e544
3. AAP Parent Page. Shopping Cart Safety. PEDIATRICS Vol. 118 No. 2 August 2006, pp. e545-e546
4. Consumer Product Safety Alert. Falls from Shopping Carts Cause Head Injuries to Children

Intertek

Intertek Offers Solution to Reduce CPSIA-Mandated Lead Testing Costs Up to 66%

Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, offers a practical solution to reduce CPSIA-mandated lead paint testing costs by as much as 66% without jeopardizing safety. To view both the cover letter and proposal in its entirety online, please go to: www.intertek.com/consumergoods/resources/CPSIAInfo.

The landmark consumer product safety legislation signed into law last summer, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), mandates lead paint (surface coating) testing by accredited third party laboratories. The procedure that the CPSC requires for that testing increases the regulatory burden on manufacturers significantly. This impact is particularly onerous for small and medium-sized entities struggling in a challenging economic climate.

Reduced Testing Costs

On February 13, 2009, Intertek, the largest testing laboratory for consumer products sold in the United States, developed and proposed for official adoption by the CPSC, a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the testing of paint on children’s products to lead limitations found in 16 CFR 1303. This multiple-color testing procedure for lead in paint is based on the existing CPSC Standard Operating Procedure. The Intertek SOP does not compromise accuracy or detection limits, and is mathematically based to ensure compliance accuracy. Current CPSC guidance requires each individual paint color be tested individually and separately for compliance to limits established by regulation. In short, the Intertek procedure allows for the testing of three paint samples at once – reducing the testing costs from three tests to only one. Intertek chose not to copyright or patent-protect their procedure. If formally adopted by the CPSC, the proposed Intertek SOP would be available for any approved laboratory to use.

Small Business Friendly

Lead testing is “destructive testing” whereby samples submitted for testing are destroyed in the testing process. Small and medium-sized businesses who manufacture smaller quantities for distribution consider the cost of submitted samples for testing a significant expense. The Intertek SOP for Multiple-Color Testing will dramatically reduce the amount of samples required to determine compliance to lead paint standards.

A “Green” Testing Solution

This proposed method not only reduces testing costs by as much as 66% by reducing the number of tests required, but it is also environmentally friendly by reducing the amount of waste generated by excessive samples tested. The less samples required for testing, the less waste produced.

Encourages Compliance

If the new testing procedure proposed by Intertek for CPSIA compliance of lead in paint is approved by the CPSC, the economical practicality of the testing method could very well encourage and increase the number of firms engaging in testing. The more companies testing, the greater likelihood products will comply, and, inevitably, the less chance of products in the marketplace with excessive lead levels.

Gene Rider, President of Intertek Consumer Goods North America, explains, “Intertek supports global public policy efforts to implement sound, science-based regulations by offering our expertise in the areas of testing, inspection, certification[1] and quality assurance. Intertek operations internationally are eye-witnesses to some of the difficulties our customers face with regard to complying with elements of the CPSIA. We’re offering this SOP as a solution to reduce the regulatory burden without jeopardizing the level of safety provided to the American consumer through the new legislation. Intertek has decades of research experience with the medical and academic community to share with regards to consumer product safety. We hope that policymakers consider this process change to the current implementation of CPSIA.”

Contacts

For further information, please contact
Julie Naujokas, Marketing & Communications Director
Telephone: +1 708 955 5010
Julie.naujokas@intertek.com

About Intertek

Intertek (ITRK.L) is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 24,000 people in 110 countries around the world.
For more information, visit http://www.intertek.com/

[1] For certification programs available through Intertek, please see http://www.intertek-labtest.com/services/certification/?lang=en.

The Britax Advocate Extranet is at your fingertips!

It’s here - The Britax Advocate Extranet is at your fingertips!

The Britax Advocate Extranet is a destination for certified child passenger safety technicians (CPST) and instructors (CPSTI) to provide CEU opportunities (available early 2009), technical support and information regarding Britax products beyond what can be found on our consumer-based website, http://www.britaxusa.com/.

As well, this site offers opportunity to communicate directly with Britax on a technical level as a CPST or CPSTI. Our support of you in the field with our products, combined with your input regarding our products, including installation issues, ease of use, user guide content and format, will help Britax products be the best they can be.

The Britax Advocate Extranet can be accessed by logging into you profile at http://www.safekids.org/ under certification. Once logged in, select Online CEUs under your current recertification cycle and the select Britax Tech site.

If you have any ideas about content that you would like to see at this destination, please let me know. We will constantly be working to improve this communication tool – your input is much appreciated.

Submitted by Sarah Tilton, Britax Child Safety, Inc.

“R”Us Stores Launch Fundraising Campaign To Benefit Autism Speaks

“R”Us Stores Launch Fundraising Campaign To Benefit Autism Speaks

Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide are kicking off a nine-week in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks. From Sunday, March 1 through Friday, May 1, donations will be collected in more than 800 “R”Us stores across the country and online at www.Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks to coincide with Autism Awareness Month in April.

“With so many children affected by autism, our partnership with Autism Speaks is especially meaningful for many of our customers, as well as our employees,” said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “We love kids, and we’re proud to raise money and awareness in our stores to help Autism Speaks provide a voice for those children and families impacted by the disorder.”

To increase public awareness about the disorder, Toys“R”Us, Inc. has partnered once again with the National Lekotek Center, an independent organization dedicated to children with disabilities, and Autism Speaks, to develop a special edition of the Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids that identifies “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism.” These items promote the development of language, creativity and social skills, and are toys that children with autism spectrum disorders can play with alongside their siblings and friends. Information about the toys is available in all stores nationwide.

New this year, the site will feature a portrait gallery of children with autism taken by photographer Thomas Balsamo, an artist with extensive experience working with special needs children. Mr. Balsamo also photographed all of the children featured in the company’s in-store signage for the campaign.

“Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us are in a unique position to reach thousands of parents and caregivers each day to provide them with valuable information about autism screening and early warning signs,” said Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks. “We are thrilled to have them support our research and advocacy efforts as we continue to work toward solving the autism puzzle.”

Toys“R”Us, Inc. and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund also proudly serve as the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program, a series of more than 75 walk events in cities coast-to-coast. Toys“R”Us, Inc. employees nationwide are again joining in the effort by forming regional walk teams in their local communities. The complete schedule of Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism events can be found at www.WalkNowforAutism.org