Thomas & Friends Recall- Update Part 2
June 19, 2007 by Mommy Zabs
Filed under Boycott, Children, Family, International, Motherhood, Social Action, Socialism, Trials & Tribs
I did what MoTu suggested and called my pediatrician this morning. I am still waiting to hear back a definite referral but her nurse said she has little doubt that she will want them to go to our Children’s’ Hospital Close to Home practice and get blood tests.
My friend and regular commenter, T.Y., sent me an article from the New York Times last night that I find interesting regarding this Thomas recall and the rising rate of recalls of toys Made in China.
If you have read me more than a couple weeks you know that I had already decided to ban (as much as possible) new made in China products from being bought by our household. This article, this recall, and other toy recalls are only strengthening my resolve and confirming my beliefs that this is necessary.
It isn’t easy! I went to the drug store on the way to the pool last week in effort to find pool toys NOT made in China. I found ONE boat, so I bought two. Everything else was made in China.
The problem is, beyond boycotting we need to scream out to the toy companies about this. It is impossible to compete with the manufacturers in China’s bottom line, but at what cost? It may mean nothing to them when a few parents are boycotting because of the human rights abuses in China, but another when it is actually putting our children’s lives at stake and affecting their health. This movement has to gain momentum and parents have to demand safer products, and in my opinion China can not ensure that. I’m not going to feel safe purchasing another Thomas Train, even if I didn’t feel strongly about the boycott previously.
The article that T.Y. recommended goes on to name other recent safety recalls. A fake eyeball (I have seen these) that had KEROSENE in it! Are you kidding me? Other wooden toys have also been painted in lead. Despite the US having a ban on lead paint since the 1970’s, China has not banned lead paint. Considering all of the other things their government restricts, this baffles me. Perhaps it is another form of population control for them?
Please see this article for more details.
As for me, these trains are not being sent back yet- no such luck for them. I will definitely be holding on to these until I am absolutely sure my children have not been effected.
On a side note: Does anyone else realize how expensive these “designer line” wooden Thomas Trains are? This is their top of the line toy, they are expensive! Why couldn’t they have at least manufactured these in the states or somewhere else more safe? When I’m paying 15-29 dollars for a silly train do they really need to have it manufactured in China for cents on the dollar?
Update as off 1pm eastern, The doctor did order a lead test and we will be going to the hospital after nap time. It will be a few days for the test and they will call if positive or negative. PLEASE if your children have been exposed to these trains call your pediatrician… if they do not know of the recall for some reason fax the articles I have been linking to. And by all means make sure your friends that have little ones are aware of this.
Previous posts regarding Thomas Recall and reasons to Boycott China:
Thomas & Friends Recall Update
Thomas & Friends Recall
China Organ Harvesting
Still Thinking about Women in China
61 Women Forced to Have Abortions in China
LayGuy on Tue, 19th Jun 2007 7:48 pm
Hi Zabs,
Good on you for the activism. On a related angle, my wife aften talks to me about the way food is manufactured in China. In particular, how how human waste is used as, get this, fertiliser!
Next time you are in your super market, check out where food is made and you will be staggered at the amount made in China.
Mommy Zabs on Tue, 19th Jun 2007 8:58 pm
LG-
Thanks for passing on your wife’s tip.
Oh my goodness, I will definitely check that out for sure! Human fertilizer… ikes. (Your right you Aussies do yous S’s instead of Z’s Funny
Mommy Zabs on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 1:31 am
Come to think of it LG- it seems like you would be more likely to have food from china in Aussie since you are so close to it. I’m not sure about here… but I’m still going to check.
Heidi Jo on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 9:16 am
yet another reason i’m glad the kids didn’t get into the thomas the train craze…let us know how it turns out!
tieki rae on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 9:57 am
Hey MZ, we’ll be praying for your little boys. I’m sure they’re fine, but it still makes me angry that our country allows China to do stupid things like this! It’s insane. Imagine if it were the US producing these deadly toys and selling them to a third world country, we’d be accused of doing it purposefully to kill the rest of the world! China doesn’t get so much as a slap on the hand.
Michelle on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 10:20 am
Eek! I’m sorry you have to put up with this. You know, I never read the entire articles you had up about China, but then I just read them. How scary! I am with you on the China boycott. Wow. Thanks for bringing this subject to light. I’m forwarding your blog on to my sister. She just got her son a Thomas the Train set a few months ago. Scary!!
Mommy Zabs on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 11:56 am
I emailed the recall department today at RC2 the following:
(and copied my lawyer brother-in-law)
RC2 Corp,
It has taken me a few days to get to the ability to email you. Reason? I’m infuriated.
In this day and age how is it possible that lead paint is on a children’s product? Do you really have to go to China to make such a high priced designer toy? How much did your profit margin grow as a result of that, putting 1.5 million of our beloved children at risk? Screw China. I trusted that when I bought the highest line of Thomas Trains for my boys that they were safe. I wasn’t after-all shopping at walmart or buying low priced knock-offs, but rather a brand I foolishly trusted. Do you not understand the trust that parents place in you? I have been a fool. I will think long and hard before buying anything now. Especially after my eyes have been open to how big this problem is becoming with China.
My children’s’ pediatrician ordered an immediate blood test for both my three year old and one year old yesterday after I called and explained I have pulled the lead toys out of their collection and they contain paint chipping and teeth marks. Will RC2 be covering the costs of lead tests to make sure parents hearts are put at ease? If my children have ANY amount of lead poisoning expect to hear from my brother-in-law, a well known injury lawyer. You may be hearing from him anyway.
You will not be getting my trains back until I feel that the matter is fully settled and my children are surely without harm.
My children’s testing cost will be covered by you. And in addition to that, If children are found to be poisoned as a result, expect to be made an example of to show other manufacturer’s that allowing this to happen is unacceptable.
With deepest sincerity and frustration,
(signed)
jen on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 12:34 pm
I’m having you write all my complaint letters from now on!
I’m not up to date on children issues or lead for that matter so maybe this is a dumb question but God forbid lead is found in their systems what do the drs do about it?
Mommy Zabs on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 12:43 pm
Hey Jen,
I actually hate writing letters like that. I feel mean and ungracious. But I think this situation warrented it. I am anti rushing to any sort of lawsuit and would rather err on the side on never suing ever… but something has to be done on a large get attention scale to get this problem taken care of by people that have power. Aside from monatary reasons it is an issue that NEEDS to drive more awareness and maybe Tho mas is the train that can take us there?
I too will be livid if my children are ill as a result. I’m refusing to do research on the effects of lead poisoning in children. If they are negative it would be a waste of my time right now. And I’m hoping for them to be negative. If they are positive obviously I will have to learn more.
Michelle, Thank you for letting your sister know.
TR, thanks for the prayers.
HJ,
our craze seemed unavoidable.
theobromophile on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 7:30 pm
Random aside: ironically enough, your blogroll has an out-of-date link for your dad’s site.
Mommy Zabs on Wed, 20th Jun 2007 11:09 pm
You are so right! I fixed it.
Rachel on Wed, 24th Oct 2007 11:15 pm
i was just wondering if anyone knew about the thomas and spiderman toddler beds that are on recall they are sold at walmart and toy’r'us, and the thomas toys boxes that are being sold there as well i was wondering if anyone knew what website to go to, to find out the original price on the beds and toyboxes if anyone knows can you email me at lovemybaby_mack@hotmail.com, thank you very much.