Planet Happy Kids, Planet Happy Moms

Since becoming a mom, I have been very concerned about the growing problem with lead in children's toys. It seems that everytime you turn around another toy is being recalled for lead paint.Lead is a neuro-toxic. Meaning that it is harmful to developing nervous systems in babies and young children. After discussing my concerns with our peditrician, she informed me that in her office they perform a lead test at the age of one to track levels of lead in your child's blood. I was very pleased with that, and thought, if peditrian offices are taking measures to track this, how big of a problem is this becoming? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 890,000 U.S. children ages one to five have elevated blood lead level.

We have been taking steps toward protecting our daughter. We reccomend Made in the USA toys, non-plastics, and Fair Trade products to our friends and family when they ask about buying items for our child. It can be a challenge to find toys that meet this criteria, but it can be done. Sometimes for a lot less than thier lesser quality plastic counterparts. Unfortunatly, more times than not, these toys are very pricey. And its tempting to give in and just buy the less expensive one that can be conviently picked up at your local Wal-Mart. But I take up this challenge because of what I consider at stake. My child's over all well being.

We have been browsing our local Toy-r-Us with our child's birthday coming up soon. We found that Toys-R-Us has a great variety of Natural wood toys and a great little brand called Imaginarium. However there have been recalls with this brand as well. Because their products are made in China and paint on the wooden toys have been found to contain lead.

You really can't be too careful with Made in China products for they do not have to follow the same high safety standards that manufactors in the US have to follow. I have found that Melissa and Doug products, though produced in China have to meet US safety standards. So we enjoy thier fun educational toys very much.

Recently I have come across a new site called Planet Happy Kids at planethappytoys.com
Each product that they sell must meet or exceed all US and European saftey standards. They are also made in safe sweatshop free companies, or Fair-Trade or organic certified. They also have items made from recycled products. There are several sites listed on thier page that offer a wide variety of items and prices.
Feel free to check out thier site
http://www.planethappytoys.com/

Join me in the fight to protect our children from harmful toxins by buying Made in the USA or all natural safe products!