like last week, asked the aunt of my husband, what would our daughter for Christmas. I was speechless, not knowing how to respond to her. Instead of a group of fantasy presented in a beautifully decorated tree, I was painting the mountains of toys (almost one million), health risks are of recent recalls Weil.
My instinctive reaction was to say: "Everything that is not made in China", but I resisted the temptation. Instead, I went to my computer and started researchingThe problem is that the American public has inspired the minds of: where our children will find games, for sure. After emerging from my computer, I realized that even though China has a scapegoat for toxic products, U.S. companies actually guilty.
For example, Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) is a U.S. company Kohlberg under fire from parents and consumer advocates because KKR is the parent company Toys 'R' Us, Dollar General and other companiesproduced or sold dangerous products. It is under pressure from manufacturers overseas shortcuts to make the products on-line prices. Although these activities have the pockets of businesses, but also has put dangerous products into the hands of children and other consumers. Avoid products made in China is not trading practices that threaten our health far from done.
So, how do we as a consumer, to handle the holidays? The first step isto seek out reputable companies to purchase toys and other gifts from. The most environmentally-sound approach is to find suppliers or stores that sell safe products in your neck of the woods. Join the local chapter of the holistic moms group, don't worry dads, you can join too (www.holisticmoms.org) and ask other members where to shop. If there are no local options, many safe products are available online.
One company I have discovered is 1888Toys.com, which has a business model that encourages sustainability and child safety. They have a wide variety of products including board games, wooden toys, kitchen sets, puzzles, and educational toys. Their products have not been affected by the recent safety recalls. The owner of the site, who is very pleasant to speak with, ensured me that all of their toys meet or exceed US and European standards for toy safety and pass regular safety and quality checks. Many of their toys are made by small companies in the USA (many are located in Montana, Minnesota and Michigan). I was also pleased to learn that the wood finishes are selected from the 'safe substances' list. (After all, lead is not the only toxic threat to children). You can purchase your gifts online at http://www.1888toys.com or call for other options. They even offer free shipping for orders over $75.
Perhaps the best alternative is to get a few extra hours of sleep on Black Friday rather than braving the crowd of holiday bargain shoppers. If you can hold off on toy shopping until after December 5th, you will have the advantage of shopping the big name stores armed with information about which of the toys found there contain toxic chemicals. Just go to http://www.HealthyToys.org on Wednesday, December 5th. That is when the results of testing performed on more than 1500 popular toys for toxic chemicals such as lead and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) will be released. Each week until Christmas more toys will be tested based upon shoppers' requests. The testing was performed by the Ecology Center in collaboration with the Washington Toxics Coalition and other leading environmental groups using technology more reliable than home lead testing kits.
Another alternative to toxic toys is to gift clothing rather than toys. If taking this approach, consider organic cotton clothing or pajamas that are inherently flame retardant so the chemical hazards of flame retardants are not absorbed through your child's skin. For babies, Under the Nile (www.underthenile.com) sells organic cotton children's clothing, stuffed toys, and a cute little crate of stuffed veggies.
As the holiday season approaches, remember that each and every dollar we spend speaks volumes about what we believe in. By refusing to support companies that endanger our health, we are paving the way for safer products and sustainable practices to thrive in the marketplace. So lets all have a happy, healthy holiday by purchasing quality products from companies that care. And remember that hand-made gifts are from the heart and equally precious. If you cannot afford to buy safer products forego the store-bought gifts and craft something yourself.
If you are looking for a gift for an adult, order the eBook "Holler for Your Health: Be the Key to a Healthy Family" at http://www.holler4health.com. This book will help the recipient preserve or reclaim their health. According to Dr. Leo Galland, author of the highly acclaimed The Fat Resistance Diet, Power Healing, and Superimmunity for Kids, "Every parent needs to read this book." Let this Christmas be the year that we provide our children with healthier gifts for themselves as well as the world they will inherit.
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