Annual report finds unsafe, recalled toys still easy to buy in Illinois – NBC Chicago

As holiday shopping gets underway, an annual report from the Illinois Public Interest Research Group’s Education Fund found that the recalled toys remain easy to buy in the state, even though their sale is illegal.

The 37th annual “Trouble in Toyland” report included an investigation in which the PIRG Education Fund of Illinois attempted to purchase recently recalled toys from retail outlets and online marketplaces.

In October, members of the fund attempted to buy 16 recently recalled toys and were able to buy half of them, with the report’s authors buying multiple units of a toy in some cases. In addition, three other toys recalled in recent years were purchased.

Overall, 30 items from 11 different recalled toys were purchased by the Illinois PIRG Education Fund as part of the report, and were purchased on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and several online toy stores.

Among the recalled toys were stuffed animals, action figures, baby activity balls, musical toys, bath toys and a toddler riding toy. The vast majority of toys were new in box or new with tags.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 200,000 people visit the emergency room each year with a toy-related injury or illness, with 75% of hospitalized people aged 14 and younger.

The full Trouble in Toyland 2022 report is available here.