Generally, I try to stay quiet during an official hiatus (unless something really big happens), but yesterday the amazing Amy of Crunchy Domestic Goddess made me aware of something I feel strongly that you need to know about.
In response to the alarming number of toy recalls in 2007 in which toys that contained dangerous amounts of lead and other harmful chemicals or posed other safety risks to our children were pulled from store shelves, the United States Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August 2008. This act is certainly a first step towards protecting our children from harmful or dangerous products in that it mandates more rigorous testing of the toys we allow into our homes.
The CPSIA, however, would also impose such a terrible financial burden on any maker of toys that small, cottage-industry toymakers in the USA, Canada, and Europe will be driven out of business. Please take just a moment to read through the information provided by the Handmade Toy Alliance. This alliance has outlined a proposal which would protect handmade toys created in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Time is of the essence. As of today, December 9th, 2008, there are only sixty-four days until mandatory toy testing certification is required.
Do you have five minutes? Here's what you can do!
(NOW REVISED!)
Contact your Congress Person and Senators to request the proposed changes to the CPSIA that will protect handmade toys. The Handmade Toy Alliance has even created a sample letter you can use to make your voice heard.
(THE EASIEST WAY TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS - use this amazingly simply widget which allows you to contact each legislator all at once. You'll need your zip +4 - look it up here. Thank you to Fashion Incubator for the widget link!)
As my own way of saying thank you for helping to protect the makers and vendors of handmade toys, I am offering a giveaway for USA readers (with many apologies to my Canadian and other international friends; I'll be sure to include you in the next go 'round!).
If you will
1) take five minutes to contact your Congress Person and Senators making them aware of the threat posed to makers and vendors of handmade toys by the CPSIA and requesting the proposed changes to the legislation
and
2) BONUS ENTRY - spread the word in some way (twitter, facebook, blog, email listserv, email family and friends, message boards, etc.) about The Handmade Toy Alliance and their proposal
and
3) and leave me a comment here telling me what action you have taken to help save handmade toys, then you will be entered to win this VERY COOL set of Surprise Rocks from the LeakyMouth Etsy store. Don't those look like so much fun? I think both kids and grown-ups would have a great time with these! (who doesn't like to smash stuff?)
Giveaway ends December 15th, 2008. Feel free to spread the word about this giveaway if you want, but it's not a requirement to enter.
Thanks for joining me in protecting our handmade toy makers and vendors!
(cute octopi picture courtesy of firepile)
