Parents, day cares not playing games with Mattel toy recall

By Kevin Woster, Journal staff | Monday, August 20, 2007

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RAPID CITY - The children at Kids Kastle lost a few of their favorite toys last week, even though they weren't on the recall list by toymaker giant, Mattel.

Tanya Jensen, regional manager of Kids Kastle Inc., which operates two day-care centers in Rapid City, said Friday that employees examined toys after reports of the recall earlier in the week. They discarded a few small cars because they seemed close enough to some that were on the recall list.

"Immediately when we found out about the recall, we pulled the numbers off the Web site and went through all the toys," she said. "We did get rid of some cars; even they weren't a complete match. But they were close enough that we weren't comfortable."

The recall announcement had parents and day-care providers checking newspaper stories and information sites on the Internet for specifics on which toys were being recalled. It also prompted officials in the state Social Services Department who regulate registered and licensed day cares throughout the state to notify their field offices so they could contact day-care operations directly.

"We're just reinforcing the fact that this is an area of concern and we need to take action and be on top of this," Social Services Department communications director Emily Currey said. "We've done this electronically and over the phone, but now we're sending out hard-copy materials."

The worldwide recall by Mattel included more than 400,000 "Sarge" cars that contained lead paint. It also extended a recall from last fall of Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures, as well as Doggie Day Care play sets - all because of small magnets that could come loose and be swallowed by children.

These recalls follow by two weeks another from Mattel that included Elmo, Big Bird, Dora the Explorer and other items from the company's Fischer-Price operation, which also were colored with paint that contains lead.

A list of the toys that have been or are being recalled is available on the Mattel consumer information Web site, http://service.mattel.com/us/recall.asp.

Many parents have already been to the Web site and checked the names and numbers against the toys in their homes. Steve Kuske of Rapid City said he and his wife took immediate inventory of the toys used by their children, Alexa, 6, and Drew, 3.

"We looked at the list when it came out and looked through both kids' rooms and their play area to see if we had any of the toys," Kuske said. "We found some Dora stuff, but it was all clothing and stuffed animal things and books, nothing on the list."

Although the recall made a national news splash, careful selection of toys is a daily chore for day-care providers like those at Kids Kastle. Owner Jeff Haverly, a Republican state legislator from Rapid City, said toy selection is essential to providing safe entertainment for children at the centers.

"We pay attention to the newspapers and other reference materials and watch through the National Child Care Association for word of recalls," Haverly said. "We just try to avoid toys with break-off pieces, sharp edges and paint, and really go with toys that are age appropriate."

Jensen said the centers were following that extra-cautious principle by discarding a collection of toy cars, even though they weren't on the recall list. Workers at the center also helped some young girls accept the fact that they would have to give up the Polly Pockets they had at home.

Jensen said she understood the disappointment of some of the children who loved those toys in particular.

"One mom asked how come we were throwing toys away," Jensen said. "I told her about the recall, and she instantly went home and went through the toys her house."

The loss of the toys won't a problem for long, she said.

"The kids were upset to see their cars leave," Jensen said. "But we'll get them others."

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com