Bad Advice for Frugal Halloween Treats

True, it can cost a lot to give candy to all the neighbourhood kids on Halloween night. But if money's tight, and you simply haven't got the budget to buy off the pranksters (some of whom really will splatter your home with rotten eggs -- or worse -- if you don't "shell out" ), there are a couple of things you can do to save money. First, here's what NOT to do...

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Urgent Recall of Aqua Dots Craft Toys

A new toy product recall is enough to make the recent lead-paint scares look mild in comparison —

aqua dots - recalled toy One of this season’s hottest arts-and-crafts toys, Aqua Dots is being pulled off North American store shelves and parents are warned to take the toy away from children immediately.

The popular children’s toy is being recalled for containing a chemical that effectively turns into the “date rape drug” if swallowed.

In Australia, where the toy is called Bindeez, at least three children have already been hospitalized after ingesting the small coloured beads.

A Chinese factory that was manufacturing the toy sets appears to have substituted a toxic chemical for the safe adhesive that was specified for use in the product. It is not yet known if product outside of Australia are affected, but no one is taking any chances —

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2007
Release #08-074

Spin Master Recalls Aqua Dots –- Children Became Unconscious After Swallowing Beads

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

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When Brand-Name Toys can be Dangerous to Kids, What's a Parent to Do?

We grew up with Mattel toys, and it’s almost heart-breaking to read news of this latest expanded recall of Mattel toys — millions upon millions of toys that turn out to be potentially dangerous to children, due to strong magnets that could come loose and be swallowed, and to the use of paint that contains excessive amounts of lead…

And this comes right on the heels of a similar recall by Mattel’s Fisher Price division, where lead paint was the health issue.

Play time is learning time for our young ones, and a good toy can help to stimulate a child’s growing mind, imagination, manual dexterity, physical balance, and observation and problem-solving skills —

So, instead of feeling helpless and angry, let’s look at what we can do to help protect our kids.
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