Following months riddled with recalls for lead-tainted toys and kids’ over-the-counter cough and cold medications, many Americans now wonder: Are consumer alerts enough to protect children from serious health threats?
Since most recalls occur after a product already has been purchased and possibly used, the majority of Americans want the government to step in to ensure products are safe before they hit the shelves, according to a report released by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.
In fact, the poll finds that consumer safety legislation now being proposed by several states, and even U.S. Congress, would be met with overwhelming support from the American public — more than 90 percent are in favor of tougher consumer product safety laws.
“Parents are concerned that consumer alerts are coming too late in the process, and that the government is not more involved to ensure toys and other products are safe before they reach stores,” says Dr. Matthew M. Davis, director of the National Poll on Children’s Health and associate professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases.
While consumer alerts generally are distributed via the media and health care professionals, 14 percent of parents polled report they did not hear about the recent national consumer alerts for kids’ OTC cough and cold medicines.
Two percent of parents polled say they did not hear about the consumer safety alerts related lead paint in toys.
