Read This Before You Go Out To Buy A Toy

The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group is arming toy-buyers for the holiday gift-buying season with a tool designed to let them figure out what's safe and what's not while they're actually in the store.

Starting today, OSPIRG's mobile web site will let shoppers review safety information on toys listed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as unsafe not only in lead and phthalate levels, but in noise and choking hazards as well. Internet accessible phones will let shoppers both scrutinize questionable products and report any toy they feel is unsafe for children.

“We see this as a huge gift to us in the holiday season and we will be promoting it,” said Sandy Nipper, the child safety coordinator for the Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

OSPIRG policy advocate Jon Bartholomew led a press conference this morning from Legacy Emanuel's new safety store, demonstrating potential hazards of toys still on store shelves and describing how the new web site will help to uncover such dangers.

OSPIRG's site is also accessible by home computers here and lets users sign up to receive notifications of any new developments.