Klobuchar cautions parents to buy safe toys

Hearing on toy safety
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., holds up a recalled toy train while testfiying before the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on Captiol Hill September 12, 2007 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is urging parents to use caution when buying toys over the Internet this holiday season.

Congress passed a law banning the sale of recalled toys and the use of lead and other toxins this year. But the Minnesota Democrat said some Internet retailers are not following the law.

Klobuchar and other lawmakers pushed for the law following the death of 4-year-old minneapolis boy, Jarnell Brown, who swallowed a heart-shaped charm made almost entirely of lead.

Klobuchar urged parents to go online and check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website for a list of recalled toys, before purchasing toys over the Internet.

"First of all they can check the consumer products safety commissions website and they have a list of recalled toys. All major outlet stores and toy stores are not going to be selling these recalled toys anymore, but if you are buying over ebay or over the internet it is good to check these lists," Klobuchar said.

About 4 million childrens' toys and jewelry were recalled this year. That is a fraction of the 17 million that were recalled last year.

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