May 15, 2009 6:30 am US/Mountain
Buying American Child Products Is A Safe Bet
Denver Researcher Reports American Children's Products Offer Safety And Value
Written by Brooke Wagner
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Dick Shaw with CBS4's Brooke Wagner
CBS
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There are many dangers associated with children's items today, including choking hazards, strangulation and toxic chemicals like lead paint. It's enough to make parents wonder if any product is truly safe.
Researcher Bruce Wolk of Denver says the answer lies in buying American.
"In April, there were almost 1 million toys, games, pieces of furniture, apparel that were recalled. All of them were imports. The recalls haven't stopped, but there are virtually no American products in that mix," said Wolk.
Wolk just released his parent's guide to American children's manufacturers titled "Made Here, Baby."
Wolk's spent time as a biologist, factory worker, researcher and has developed approximately 50 children's products himself. He also worked as a paramedic and saw firsthand how hazards affect children.
Wolk believes parents can find safer products if they move past misperceptions about products made in the United States.
"The usual feeling is that American-made products are so much more expensive than the imports. They're not," said Wolk. "On the basis of quality, American products always win out. The American factory scene is blossoming. It's blooming. It's completely changing."
Wolk said that none of the companies paid him to get on his list.
Little Colorado
Little Colorado is one of the companies that meet Wolk's criteria. It's a Denver children's furniture company started more than 20 years ago with the goal of offering affordable and safe wooden furniture.
"Safety is probably the No. 1 reason why a Little Colorado product is superior," said Cheryl Shaw, CFO of Little Colorado.
Cheryl Shaw and her husband, company president Dick Shaw, started Little Colorado after they both lost their jobs in the oil bust. They tested prototypes in their own home with their two sons.
"Our toy boxes are routinely touted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as what a toy box should be," said Cheryl Shaw.
Peace Of Mind
Wolk said that when parents buy American-made children's products they are getting peace of mind from safety, quality and customer service. He said consumers can't usually get that from overseas.
"Of course I love my country, but I really fell in love with America all over again when I got to speak with all these folks and the courage they have," said Wolk.
There has been much debate in Washington over sweeping "Buy American" language in the stimulus plan.
Critics have said cutting other nations out of bidding for manufacturing could have disasterous consequences.
On a smaller, personal scale, Wolk believes we can't afford not to buy American.
"I'm very hopeful our politicians believe in these companies as much as the companies believe in themselves," said Wolk. "(The question is) how do we compete against the imports? How do we level that playing field? These are some of the brightest, most successful people I've ever met, because theyre competing and they're competing successfully. They just need a chance."
Wolk pointed out that more than half of the 417 companies he profiled are run by women.
Being Green
Most of the companies that made his list are also finding unique ways to be green.
Little Colorado uses water-based finishes and formaldehyde-free materials that are grown in America.
The company gives its scrap wood to the Children's Museum, re-uses old foam and boxes from other Denver companies as packing material, and measures the box a product will be shipped in before deciding the product's dimensions so there's less waste.
Cheryl Shaw said her company has definitely been hit by the recession, but it is here to stay.
According to Shaw, customers are buying less, but they want the dollars they do spend to buy quality and value.
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