(Washington, DC) - Each year the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) releases a toy safety report.  Congressman Baron Hill is encouraging Hoosier parents to review the report’s findings before buying holiday gifts for their children.

“Last year roughly 45 million child products were recalled,” Hill said.  “Parents are understandably very concerned about the safety of the toys and other gifts they give their children, and I would encourage them to turn to this report for guidance.”

In addition, Hill is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection that passed legislation enacting the world’s toughest safety standards for children’s products.  While many of the provisions of this bill – the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) – do not take affect until 2009, a significant funding increase for the agency that is responsible for testing children’s products entering the U.S. has already occurred. 

“My position on this subcommittee allows me to be on the front lines of this issue,” Hill said.  “While we have made strides in enhancing testing standards and procedures, we must do more to ensure that dangerous imports are kept out of the hands of our children.”