Contacts: Adrienne Appell
(646) 520-4863 | aappell@toyassociation.org
Toy Industry Association Congratulates New Jersey
Assembly
on its Leadership of Children’s Product Safety Awareness
NEW YORK | July 12, 2010 – Representatives of
the Toy Industry Association (TIA) applauded action taken by the State
of New Jersey Assembly on June 28th to unanimously approve AJR32, a new
resolution designating November as “Children’s Product
Safety Awareness Month.” With its 78-0 vote, New
Jersey became the first state to officially designate a timeframe for
the recognition of children and safety.
Representatives of the Toy Industry Association (TIA) advocated and
supported the legislation, noting that members of the toy industry
welcome every opportunity to raise awareness of toy safety and to
highlight toy safety initiatives.
Co-sponsored by New Jersey Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle
(District 37 – Bergen County) and Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan,
Jr. (District 18 – Middlesex County), the resolution will increase
public awareness of the importance of play in the lives of children and
the broad “safety net” of federal laws and standards that
help to assure that those toys and other children’s products are
safe.
“This bill will bring about a higher level of awareness and
demonstrate how parents can ensure the safety and enhance the wellbeing
of their children,” said Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle in a
statement when the bill was introduced.
In accordance with the Resolution, the Governor of New Jersey will
issue an annual proclamation calling on parents to learn more about safe
and fun play and to be vigilant about the safety of all products in the
home to which a child has access. In addition, the New Jersey
Division on Consumer Affairs will embark upon a public awareness
campaign to make parents aware of federal consumer product recall
resources such as the website www.recalls.gov that make people aware of unsafe,
hazardous or defective products, especially those intended for
children.
“With the attention that toys get during the busy holiday
shopping season, the New Jersey Assembly chose a perfect time to
underscore the importance of safe and fun play,” said Joan
Lawrence, TIA vice president of safety standards and the mother of three
young children. “This Resolution will not only help to focus
interest on the safety of toys and other children’s products, but
will also help to educate parents by providing them with tips and
information they need to make better choices about the toys they bring
home to their child – and what do to do with that toy when
it’s in the home.”
Information and guidance on toys and play – including safety
tips, videos and recall information – can be found online at the
TIA-sponsored website, www.ToyInfo.org.
About TIA
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers
of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America,
representing 535 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic
toy sales. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety
including development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard
more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and
industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe play. For more
information, please visit www.toyassociation.org.
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