New laws in two states ban hazardous toys

We want to take a moment to highlight a couple of new state laws enacted in the past few weeks that we think are good steps forward for product safety.

Earlier this month, New Jersey governor Jon Corzine signed a law banning yo-yo balls, those liquid filled rubber balls attached to a rubbery sticky cord. One of the chief proponents of the law was New Jersey mother Tina Casadei-Alleruzzo whose 4-year-old daughter was nearly strangled by the cord in 2003.  New Jersey follows Illinois in banning the yo-yo ball, a result of vigorous lobbying by Illinois resident Lisa Lipin whose 5-year-old son was injured when a yo-yo ball cord wrapped around his neck in 2003. Lipin and Casadei-Alleruzzo are seeking similar laws in other states, including New York and Wisconsin.

Last month, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed into law a measure barring the sale and manufacture of lead-based toys and other consumer products designed for children. Specifically the law bans toys with lead levels in excess of 600 parts per million as well as the use of lead in any children’s jewelry or lunch boxes. Here again, Michigan follows the lead of Illinois in banning toys that have more than 600 parts per million in lead.

We applaud the states for taking such steps forward. But at the same time, we’re dismayed that it has come to this with states forced to take action in the absence of federal regulations.