Recalled toys, children's products resold online

CINCINNATI: Toys and other children's products recalled because of safety concerns are often resold through online auction sites, putting children at risk, according to a recent study.

EBay Inc.'s Web site prohibits the sale of recalled products, but enforcement efforts do not seem to be succeeding, said Keri Brown Kirschman, the study's lead author and an assistant psychology professor at the University of Dayton.

Kirschman, who specialises in child psychology and pediatric injury prevention, said she searched for 141 recalled items on eBay for 30 consecutive days and found them offered in at least 144 online auctions. The products included play yards, baby walkers, bassinets and safety devices.

About 70 per cent of recalled items tracked were sold, she said.

Even sophisticated eBay users appear to be unaware or uncooperative of policies intended to keep recalled products from being exchanged, the study said.

The study was conducted in 2004 at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital and reported this month in the peer-reviewed journal Injury Prevention.

Last week, Mattel Inc. announced a worldwide recall of almost 19 million items, including dolls, cars and action figures. Some of the items were contaminated with lead paint. Others had small magnets that children might swallow.

"I hope this study raises awareness on all levels about the problem and about the need to do more to prevent recalled items from getting to children even long after a recall," Kirschman said on Tuesday.