Lead Testing

Yes we want to keep our children safe and free from too much lead....but...its confusing!

There has been much discussion and somewhat of an uproar about this new law going into effect and how it will effect small businesses and second hand stores.

February 10th the new law goes into effect! All products used by children under the age of 12 must be tested and meet the new standard of only 600ppm (parts per million) and one year from now it will be 300ppm.

Here is a little bit of information I took off the US CPSC website:

Relevant Definitions
Consumer Product –any article, produced or distributed (i) for sale to a consumer for use or (ii) for the personal use, consumption or enjoyment of a consumer in or around a permanent or temporary household or residence, a school, in recreation, or otherwise
Children’s Product –consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger

Phthalates Definitions
Children’s Toy –consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer for a child 12 years of age or younger for use by the child when the child plays
Child Care Article –consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer to facilitate sleep or the feeding of children age 3 and younger, or to help such children with sucking or teething

For more information please visit the official website: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html#whatsnew

If you have a small business like I do....it is very confusing as to what has to be done by when. Share any comments or questions you might have about this issue!

Operation No Kid Hungry

Share Our Strength has launched a brand new campaign to raise funds to help end childhood hunger.

"OperationNo Kid Hungry" responds to President Obama's call to action to endchildhood hunger by 2015.

Share Our Strength has partnered with AT&T to offer two great ways that you can support and participate in "Operation No Kid Hungry":

1. Donate by text: Text "SHARE" to 20222 on your mobile device to donate$5. AT&T will match all text donations up to $100,000. Help us meet this challenge grant!

Find out more athttp://strength.org/get_involved/text_donation/

2. Collect Food Donations: Now through January 31st, help feed those in need by donating food to your local food bank.

Visit http://strength.org/ to find a food bank and a list of the most needed nutritious foods.

For more information about "Operation No Kid Hungry" and how you can helpend childhood hunger, visit Share Our Strength's website:http://strength.org/.

There are also more ways you can help get the word out, including bannersfor your blog and social networking pages here:http://strength.org/get_involved/spread_the_word/