FRIDAY, Dec. 12, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Bob Hundemer is a grown man who spends his days trashing toys.
As the chief toy tester for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), he takes his work very seriously.
The CPSC requires toy makers to meet safety standards and to label toys that could be hazardous for young children. But that requirement isn't always met, as Hundemer knows after 23 years on the job.
So when the commission gets a complaint that a toy isn't safe, Hundemer swings into action.
"One of the tests is an impact test," he says. "That sounds kind of specialized, but, in fact, we do the same thing as children do" -- that is, throw toys around -- "only we do it from a known height."
"Our object is to see if we can drop the toy repeatedly and not have anything break off that is going to be a hazard to the child."
Small parts are a particular hazard for children under age 3, he says, "because they have that oral learning process in full swing."
The CPSC operates more like a police force, investigating complaints, rather than a commission that approves toys before their sale, Hundemer says. "We have a law that says, if you are a manufacturer or an importer, you can't sell a hazardous or banned product."
But it's a kind of honor system, so Hundemer is likely to test a toy only after a complaint has been made.
Often, he gets tips from U.S. Customs officers, who sometimes notice potential problems with toy shipments received at ports. "They might say, 'This doesn't look good. Send it to Bob at the lab.'"
For instance, Hundemer might get a toy airplane to test, such as a "push-and-go" friction model. If the plastic isn't high-impact, a part could fall off, making it an enticing threat to a curious toddler. The CPSC will then tell the manufacturer they can't ship the toy to the United States without first making it safe.
One of Hundemer's best tools is a small parts cylinder. "Some call it the choke tube," he says. "Anything that fits inside that is banned for small children."
Another common danger: sharp edges and points. "They don't rise to the same hazard as small parts," Hundemer says. "But that is not to say they don't also cause serious injury."
When the CPSC spots a problem with a toy part or design, Hundemer says his agency tries to work with the manufacturers to fix the problem. One success story, he says, is stuffed animals. Years ago, many had eyes that fell off easily, becoming a choke hazard. But in recent years, the toy industry has changed its technique and the eyes are more securely fastened.
"It's still caveat emptor," he says. "The fact of the matter is, the United States doesn't have a pre-market clearance system for toys. We have a pretty good handle on the marketplace and the industry cooperates toward that end. But it is not 100 percent. So it is still the parents' duty to look closely at toys."
Hundemer offers several tips for parents: Pay attention to those labels that say a toy isn't meant for a child under age 3 -- no matter how precocious the boy or girl. And buy fewer toys that are more expensive, rather than numerous cheap toys. That way, there's a good chance the quality will be superior.
