Things to Consider When Making Holiday Purchases

By Congressman Joe Barton
Published: 12-17-07
 
The holiday season is upon us bringing the joy of spending time with loved ones the fulfillment of religious traditions the anticipation of Christmas morning and of course the age-old question: what should we give our friends and family? 

With so many options out there it seems like it would be easy yet often we find ourselves on the challenging quest of finding that perfect gift.  This year as you plan your purchases—or return to the store for some post-Christmas exchanges—there are some very important considerations to keep in mind.

First and foremost as those of us with children in our lives have become increasingly aware we must pay special attention to the materials that make up the toys we buy.  It seems each week we hear about another seemingly harmless toy being taken off the shelves due to lead paint or other poisonous components.
 
Over the past few months my colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and I have held a series of hearings on the issue of tainted products from China.  In an effort to beef up our defense against poisoned toys and ensure they never reach the shelves let alone our homes I helped introduce The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007.  This bill seeks to set a stringent federal standard for lead content in toys giving our nation the toughest standards in the world. 

It would also mandate strong pre-market testing for children’s products evaluating such factors as lead content and choking hazards.  This testing would be carried out by reputable labs that must be accredited.  Finally the bill would give the Consumer Product Safety Commission new authority to share information on recalled products and would improve recalls by requiring manufacturers to place distinguishing marks on products making it easier for parents to tell if their child’s toy has been recalled. 

I believe we will see this bill pass the House of Representatives soon and become law.  In the meantime however it’s important for parents to pay close attention and ensure the toys and products they give their children are safe.

Another factor to consider as we make our holiday purchases is the upcoming transition to digital television on February 17 2009.  With this transition little more than a year away it’s important to know whether or not you will be affected.

For the vast majority of television viewers the only change they will notice is better picture and sound quality.  Those viewers who have televisions equipped for digital or who receive their television programming from cable or satellite won’t have to do anything to prepare for the transition.

Those who rely on over-the-air broadcasting (who just plug their TV into the wall and don’t subscribe to a cable or satellite provider) and don’t have a television equipped with a digital tuner will need to purchase converter boxes to ensure they continue to receive reception.  These individuals will be able to request two $40 coupons to help them purchase these devices. 

If you’re in the market for a new television this holiday season and don’t use cable or satellite service make sure that any set you purchase is equipped with a digital tuner.  All televisions manufactured after March 1 2007 are digital-ready.  If you’d like to know more about the transition visit www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009.

While this information won’t make holiday shopping any easier it is something to keep in mind as we make our final purchases.  Even if we fall short in our quest to find the one “perfect” gift seeing kids stay safe and healthy is one of the greatest things we could ask for this holiday season.