The Hazards of Donating Toys

Every year millions of toys are donated during the holiday season; it's one of the most popular ways to give back, but this year the recent toy recalls are making it more difficult for charities like the Salvation Army to distribute safe holiday gifts. Over 5,000 of the toys a Salvation Army branch in North Carolina had intended to use as stocking stuffers were recalled. In addition to needing more safe toys, charities nationwide also need more volunteers to help sort donations and ensure that none are on the recall list. Whether you intend to donate your time, a new toy or both, check out these donation tips from the Salvation Army first:

1. Only donate new, unwrapped toys purchased from a reputable retail outlet.

2. If an item is questionable, please consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission website before donating.

3. Interested in volunteering? Contact your local Salvation Army to find out how.

4. If you don't have the time to donate a toy or volunteer, you can also make a monetary donation online.

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