4 ms·

As a parent you are responsible for the toys your children play with full stop. Relying on someone else to care as much as you do will not work out.

giraffe_lady 4y ago
I'm responsible for disassembling electrical parts to make sure they are grounded correctly? For auditing the supply chain of the paint they use to make sure it doesn't have lead? etc etc? This shit makes no sense lol. Yeah if you get a kid a vehicle don't be surprised when they wreck it, that's kind of on you. But "you are responsible for the toys your children play with full stop" can't possibly be unless you're going for the full libertarian dreamland.
- zdragnar 4y ago
  That's an uncharitable take on what's actually at stake here. We're not discussing all safety standards. We're talking about recalls for not having warning stickers and paperwork in order (and possibly improperly tuned suspension and tire pressure, which I think is valid to complain about).
  - aidenn0 4y ago
    Deriding paperwork is a bit annoying because the CPSC determines the safety at least partly through the paperwork. I kind of agree that the warning stickers have gotten a bit out-of hand, but upon digging many of those sorts of things are actually instigated by in-house legal counsel rather than any external regulations.
- willcipriano 4y ago
  You may be able to blame someone in a court of law, but you'll know deep down you were responsible so that will be of little comfort.
  - rnk 4y ago
    That's a silly attitude. There are consumer safety standards for good reasons. You shouldn't have to investigate say helmet manufacturers to make sure they aren't made with dangerous substances or will fail without protecting you.
    - willcipriano 4y ago
      You don't really have to take a trip down to the factory to inspect a children's toy. Lead test strips are cheap, otherwise take it into your hand and check it out. Is it fit for purpose? This works both ways, my kid would get to ride around on the cool Tesla car while your kid sits on the sidelines following the rules. I'm not saying that the laws are a bad idea, just expecting anyone to be competent in life is a bad assumption to make.
      - klyrs 4y ago
        Do lead strips detect cadmium, mercury, beryllium and arsenic? What about poisonous organic compounds? Should I invest in a full-on chemistry lab? If I buy a toy and destroy it in testing, can I buy another one for the boy to play with and trust that it'll be made of the same stuff?
        willcipriano 4y ago
        You should do whatever you deem necessary to fullfil your responsibility to care for your child and ensure that they are safe. I personally don't go that far, nor do the authorities.
        klyrs 4y ago
        https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Statutes/The-Consumer-Product-Safety-Improvement-Act https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Statutes/Th... Actually, there are national regulations requiring that products made for toys must be tested in the manner I have described. No, "the authorities" don't do the testing, but they do define standards, certify laboratories, and require toymakers to get their products tested. Is it all 100% trustworthy or failsafe? Of course not. But I don't buy my kid sketchy shit from overseas because taking all of that responsibility upon myself is frankly ludicrous: I suck at chemistry and I trust a professional way more than my own abilities.
atonse 4y ago
I am willing to bet a reasonable amount of money that you don't check: - the blueprints of every building you walk into - the toxicology reports of the varnish that was on the beds of the hotel you stayed in. - that the plastic used in your food takeout container won't leak into food when heated. - the mix of lead in the gasoline you put in your car and so on and so forth. To what end do we hand waving away "it's your responsibility" – the ONLY people that benefit here are businesses. What's the point? Who is even asking for this?

giraffe_lady 4y ago

I'm responsible for disassembling electrical parts to make sure they are grounded correctly? For auditing the supply chain of the paint they use to make sure it doesn't have lead? etc etc? This shit makes no sense lol. Yeah if you get a kid a vehicle don't be surprised when they wreck it, that's kind of on you. But "you are responsible for the toys your children play with full stop" can't possibly be unless you're going for the full libertarian dreamland.

zdragnar 4y ago
That's an uncharitable take on what's actually at stake here. We're not discussing all safety standards. We're talking about recalls for not having warning stickers and paperwork in order (and possibly improperly tuned suspension and tire pressure, which I think is valid to complain about).
- aidenn0 4y ago
  Deriding paperwork is a bit annoying because the CPSC determines the safety at least partly through the paperwork. I kind of agree that the warning stickers have gotten a bit out-of hand, but upon digging many of those sorts of things are actually instigated by in-house legal counsel rather than any external regulations.
willcipriano 4y ago
You may be able to blame someone in a court of law, but you'll know deep down you were responsible so that will be of little comfort.
- rnk 4y ago
  That's a silly attitude. There are consumer safety standards for good reasons. You shouldn't have to investigate say helmet manufacturers to make sure they aren't made with dangerous substances or will fail without protecting you.
  - willcipriano 4y ago
    You don't really have to take a trip down to the factory to inspect a children's toy. Lead test strips are cheap, otherwise take it into your hand and check it out. Is it fit for purpose? This works both ways, my kid would get to ride around on the cool Tesla car while your kid sits on the sidelines following the rules. I'm not saying that the laws are a bad idea, just expecting anyone to be competent in life is a bad assumption to make.
    - klyrs 4y ago
      Do lead strips detect cadmium, mercury, beryllium and arsenic? What about poisonous organic compounds? Should I invest in a full-on chemistry lab? If I buy a toy and destroy it in testing, can I buy another one for the boy to play with and trust that it'll be made of the same stuff?
      - willcipriano 4y ago
        You should do whatever you deem necessary to fullfil your responsibility to care for your child and ensure that they are safe. I personally don't go that far, nor do the authorities.
        klyrs 4y ago
        https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Statutes/The-Consumer-Product-Safety-Improvement-Act https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Statutes/Th... Actually, there are national regulations requiring that products made for toys must be tested in the manner I have described. No, "the authorities" don't do the testing, but they do define standards, certify laboratories, and require toymakers to get their products tested. Is it all 100% trustworthy or failsafe? Of course not. But I don't buy my kid sketchy shit from overseas because taking all of that responsibility upon myself is frankly ludicrous: I suck at chemistry and I trust a professional way more than my own abilities.

atonse 4y ago

I am willing to bet a reasonable amount of money that you don't check: - the blueprints of every building you walk into - the toxicology reports of the varnish that was on the beds of the hotel you stayed in. - that the plastic used in your food takeout container won't leak into food when heated. - the mix of lead in the gasoline you put in your car and so on and so forth. To what end do we hand waving away "it's your responsibility" – the ONLY people that benefit here are businesses. What's the point? Who is even asking for this?