Ask Sid: Giving Safe Toys

Q. How can I be sure toys I buy as holiday gifts are safe?

A. You can check toxin levels of children’s products at Healthy Stuff.org, and get product recall and safety information at www.cpsc.gov.

A new federal law bars high levels of lead paint and other toxins in products intended for children under 12. Starting in February, the government will require most manufacturers to have their products independently tested for compliance with the law. But some large retailers, including Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, are already requiring their suppliers to have third-party labs certify that their products for children meet the new law’s safety standards.

Sid Kirchheimer writes about health and consumer issues.