Product Safety Issues:
On this page I have tried to include as much information as possible about health and safety issues which may be of concern to you regarding how my wood toys are made and what types of products are used. Also, you will find information on other important toy safety issues and some links to various sites which offer more facts about preventing health and safety problems for our children.
Product Finishes:
In most cases, each item is left natural, allowing the wonderful swirls, textures, grain and natural colors of the wood to show through. I do, however, apply a exterior finish to each toy, which aides in protecting the toy from the elements and against splintering. That finish is produced by a company; Tried & True.
The following information was taken off their web site; "All Tried & True Wood Finishes are completely plant derived from sustainable agricultural resources. Linseed oil is pressed from the seeds of the flax plant whose fiber is used for making linen. The waste products are used for animal feed. We also use beeswax, which is a by-product of honey production, and natural varnish resin (hardened tree sap) which is a traditional forest product. Linseed oil is a drying oil. Polymerization is an internal process in the oil which changes the oil from a liquid to a solid. After the impurities are removed, the oil is processed to accelerate its drying properties, creating a polymerized linseed oil. No petroleum distillates, or other solvents, or their derivatives are added. No heavy metal driers are used. The methods we employ are adapted from 18th to early 20th century varnish making We combine quality control, current technology and traditional formulations to enhance the inherent properties of this natural resource. Tried & True Finishes are packed in recyclable steel cans. Our products are food safe so these cans can go to recycling with your household products. The labels are made from recycled paper and are easily removed for recycling. All Tried & True Wood Finishes comply with the inner most circle of product safety established by the FDA: "safe for food contact surfaces"(FDA 21m Sec 175.300). Beeswax and natural varnish resin are FDA approved as non-toxic and non-allergic. NON-HAZARDOUS. Our products, and or any of their ingredients, are not regulated under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (Title 40) or the EPA Resource and Recovery Act (Title 49). Our oils are non-toxic and non-inflammable. The use of these finishes in commercial applications is not regulated by OSHA. No heavy metal driers. These metallic salts of cobalt and manganese are a health risk to those who manufacture them. In use they are considered a health risk only in long term exposure. Fume Free-Zero VOC. No solvents or petroleum distillates are present in Tried & True Wood Finishes. Therefore, there is no compromise in environmental impact, worker health and safety, or indoor air quality". http://www.triedandtruefinish.com/standards.htm
Product Coloration:
When-ever color is needed, I use a water-based latex paint and only on toys that are not intended to be chewed on.
Wood Products Used:
No Plywood is Used. Some companies still use plywoods complying with E1 standards, which are supposed to ensure emissions of urea formaldehyde are at levels below those acceptable to the World Health Organization. By not using plywood, I am assured that my standards are met with NO emissions of formaldehyde from my products. Only American hardwoods are used; Poplar, Maple, Ash, Walnut and Birch are used the most. These woods are much less likely to dent, crack or splinter. If a wood toy I make is specific to children under 1, I use only Maple wood, because there have been no reported cased of allergenic or other types of adverse reactions caused by children chewing on this natural product.
Adhesives Used:
Titebond II Premium Wood Glue is the only leading brand, one-part wood glue that passes the ANSI Type II water-resistance specification. It is ideal for exterior woodworking projects, including outdoor furniture, birdhouses, mailboxes, planters and picnic tables.
Titebond II Premium provides a strong initial tack, fast speed of set, superior strength and excellent sand ability. It is FDA approved for indirect food contact (cutting boards) and is ideal for radio frequency (R-F) gluing systems.
Other Safety Concerns:
As a parent, it is very important for you to make sure that your children's toys are age appropriate. Always be aware of the fact that all toys, ever good solidly built wood toys, will start to show wear and tear and could become dangerous over time, so make it a point to conduct a good inspection of your children's toys regularly.
Watch Those Cords! Toys with long strings and cords can pose choking and strangulation hazards to small children and infants. This is especially true of objects meant to be hung near, on or above baby cribs and playpens. Remove crib gyms when a child is 5 months old or has the ability to pull up on hands and knees.
Paint Labeling: Make sure all painted toys and those that include art objects use non-toxic paint. If the label fails to give this information, think twice about buying it! See Links Below on Lead Poisoning from Painted Toys!
Sharp Warning: Toys with sharp edges or points are not advisable for children under the age 8. Be careful of stuffed toys with wires inside that could poke through and cut a child.
Flying Object Warning: Toys meant for flying or that include propelled objects are easily turned into weapons and can injure an eye: be sure to check for protective tips, such as soft cork tips and rubber suction cups and ensure that tips to these objects are securely installed.
Electric Fun: Look for the "Underwriters Laboratory" approval label on all toys with electric components. As a general rule, electric toys with heating elements are not recommended for children under eight years of age.
It's the Little Things In Life! Because children generally three years of age and younger have a tendency to put objects in their mouths, it is especially important to examine toys for small parts. The general rule is this: if an object or part can fit into the cardboard roll of bathroom tissue, it is too small. All toys made for children between 3-6 years old are required to provide warnings about any choking hazards.
Quality Counts: Look for sturdy construction, including tightly sewn seams and attached eyes and noses on all toys, especially stuffed animals. Durable products made of strong material also better withstand any chewing by children.
Toy Chests: storage chests should have removable lids or a spring-loaded support in order to keep the lid securely open. They should also have ventilation holes.
Baby Walkers: must meet one of the following standards to protect against a child's falling down stairs: (1) it must be too wide to fit through a standard doorway; or (2) it must have features, such as a gripping mechanism, to stop the walker at the edge of a step. A great alternative is a stationary activity center that does not have wheels.
Remember, precaution in picking out proper toys can never replace appropriate adult supervision!
TIPS FOR SAFELY BUYING TOYS- Abide by the age guidelines on toy packaging.
- Look for a marking that a toy meets voluntary industry safety standard ASTM F963.
- Inspect toys before purchase when possible to see if they could easily break, creating dangerous, small parts.
- Be aware that toys with labels that say - supervision required - are intended for use only when an adult is involved in the play.
- Keep toys for children of different ages separate, and instruct older kids which toys are off limits for kids under 3.
- Check existing toys for broken parts. Discard or repair broken toys.
- Read and review instructions carefully, with children, caregivers and others who will use the toys.
- Save directions, warranties and assembly hardware.
- Make sure that batteries are securely installed in electronic toys, and store unused batteries in a safe location.
- Keep in mind that holiday celebrations can be chaotic, causing children of different ages to play together with toys that may be unsafe for them.
Product safety chief rips toy industry
(Click on This Link For More Information on Toy Safety Issues)
Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Nancy A. Nord scolded the toy industry for not doing enough to keep its products safe, specifically for violating the country's ban on lead paint.
Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart unveil new safety rules
(Click on this Link For More Information on Lead Poisoning)
Toys "R" Us on Friday announced new mandatory safety checks for its manufacturers that include third-party testing of each batch of toys that's imported into the United States and calls for a significant reduction in lead content ?? found in paints used for coating toys. (As a parent I would still be concerned with how much lead is still in a products paint, even after a "significant reduction" in lead content.)
Source for updates on toy recalls due to lead in it's paint:
http://www.leadtoyrecalls.com/
China exports lead poisoning
The Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning
Maintenance
Tried
& True Wood
Finishes are easy to maintain. Polymerized Linseed Oil gets harder and
more durable as it ages. Since there are no solvents in Tried True
the finish does not dry out and dull with age. Basic maintenance
is to periodically buff with a soft rag to renew the shine. Buff
dry
after washing.
If water is allowed to sit on the surface for too long the grain of the
wood may raise up under the finish. This does not damage the finish.
Allow the spot to thoroughly dry and it will usually disappear. If the
surface still seems dull the shine can be revived by rubbing with 0000
steel wool and then buffing with a soft cloth.
Hints
These are hand rubbed finishes. The more you rub, the better they look.
The finish responds well to power buffing.
If the surface looks dull, it probably is getting a haze from washing. Just buff to revive the shine.
Do not use spray cleaning or polishing products. They contain silicones which will soften the finish.