Hot Topic: Toy Safety

In a recent Parents poll, nearly 60 percent of moms and dads said they worry about the safety of products they buy for their kids. And no wonder: The constant news stories about lead in toys and the recall of millions of dangerous trucks, dolls, and games are a stark reminder of the potential hazards in your child's toy box.

Of course, no one expects the U. S. government to be able to police every single product that is sold in America. But parents want manufacturers to ensure that the toys they sell won't hurt kids. And they expect that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) -- the federal agency charged with protecting the public from "unreasonable risks" of injuries associated with consumer products -- will do the job of making sure dangerous toys stay off store shelves. But clearly that hasn't been happening.

There is a silver lining to all the scary news: Manufacturers and retailers are stepping up efforts to safeguard products, and lawmakers are calling for increased power -- and funding -- for the CPSC. Here's a snapshot of the current facts and political acts.