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How To Make Sure The Toys You Buy Are Safe

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There are some very strict safety regulations in the United States that attempt to insure the safety of toys that are sold. But even with the strict regulations there are occasions from time to time where unsafe toys make it into the market.

As a whole the regulations that are in place to ensure toy safety have been very successful. When compared to the number of toys that are sold on the market each year there have been very few accidents which were caused by unsafe or defective toys. Most accidents are caused by improper usage or common accident such as tripping on them.

In the few cases where defective or unsafe toys have actually made it into the market they were recalled fairly quickly. But this is no reason for parents not let their guard down when buying toys.

Check The Label: Safety Labels Are A Must

The first thing that should be checked when buying a toy is whether or not is the appropriate safety labels. The primary label in the United States would be that of the Consumer Product Safety Commission which signifies that the toy meets the minimum safety standards.

The next important labels to look for when shopping for toys would be age labels. You should always follow age guidelines, as they are an essential part of toy safety.

Most toys have age labels, even if they are not legally required. Any toy that is not suitable for children under 36 months must have a visible label stating so.

Although, in general most toys give guidance as to what age group they are designed for. These guidelines let you know what age group will benefit the most from the toy, in terms of development, fun, and understanding. Here is a brief guide of different kinds of toys and what age group they are intended for:

Under three years

For this age group the greatest threat that toys pose is a choking hazard. Most everything a baby or toddler gets their hands on, ends up in their mouth. For this reason, very small toys or toys with small parts are especially unsuitable. Be sure to keep marbles and small balls or buttons out of their reach; Be careful with inflatable toys and balloons; And avoid toys with pointy or sharp edges.

Three to five years

Children of this age are full of discovery and are capable of playing with more sophisticated toys. However, you should still be cautious as certain toys could still pose a risk to them. Avoid toys made with thin plastic that may break and cause injury and still watch for small parts that they may still be tempted to put in their mouth.

Six to twelve years

By this age children will be able to safely play with almost any toy they are given. However, always read hazard warnings and instruction pamphlets for maintenance guides. For example, if you buy a trampoline you will need to carry out maintenance on it on a regular basis. If you buy a bike or skateboard for your child, you should also buy appropriate protective equipment. Always make sure you get the right size ride on toy for your child, so he / she can handle and enjoy what he / she is given.

Things can get a little complicated when you have children of varying ages. When you have lots of different toys that are suitable for varying ages you have to stay vigilant. For beginners, you should teach older children to keep their toys out of reach of youngger children, especially when they contain small parts and / or are fragile. It is also best if you do not put different age appropriate toys into one toy bin. Have a separate box for each child and make sure they do not swap out toys. To help keep organized, you should follow and separate based on the age labels on the toys.

In general it is a good idea to be organized and keep toys in order. Having toys lying around the house is a common cause of accidents. If you have children of varying ages, this can be dangerous and allow smaller children to get to toys not intended for their age group. Keep in mind that children are intended to play with the toys, but all maintenance, such as changing of batteries should be carried out by an adult.

Toy safety labels offer an important safeguard against dangerous toys reaching our children, but it is just as important to use your own common sense. Before purchasing a toy, examine it thoroughly yourself to make sure that it is sturdy and well constructed. Check for any sharp edges or pointy corners, especially when buying toys for youngger children. For example, if you are buying a stuffed animal make sure all stitching is secure and small items like the eyes or nose will not come off easily.

If your child has an accident with a toy or you suspect a toy is potentially harmful, you should take immediate action. The first step is to take the toy out of the reach of all children. Once the child is cared for and the immediate danger has passed, you should report the toy to the appropriate permissions. You will need to keep the toy safe for examination and you should also try to provide details of where and when you bought the toy. It is important to regularly check online for toy recalls. This way you can remove a potentially dangerous toy before any incident occurs.

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Source by Bradley M Hayes

A Typical Day in the Life of a Freight Broker

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Freight brokers act as intermediaries by arranging for the transportation of cargo between shippers and motor carriers. The freight broker then receives a commission for his or her matchmaking skill. Freight brokers are also known as truck brokers, transportation brokers, property brokers and 3rd party intermediaries.

While the business concept in freight brokering is very simple, there are many details and procedures that need to be mastered. The broker needs to know what to do, when to do it, how to do it, why it’s being done and with whom to do it. Since this is a service-oriented business, it only makes sense to learn the multitude of demands and requirements. Especially in light of the fast-paced environment that becomes more and more common.

While actual “on the job” experience is the best teacher, formal training by qualified individuals helps pull everything into perspective for the beginning broker. As a result, the new broker strikes out on a note of confidence.

Having said this, let’s take a look at a typical day in the life of a freight broker.

After the freight broker has placed many prospecting phone calls and contacted as many current potential shippers as possible, he or she should have perhaps 20, 30, 40 or more shippers in their database. The initial information that each broker will collect will be general in nature: what type of cargo is the shipper shipping, where are the normal pick up and deliver points, what kind of truck is required and so on.

1. With this information on hand, the broker will want to start asking for the order by placing phone calls to shippers early in the morning – perhaps from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is when most shippers are putting the final touches on their needs. Basically, the broker is asking if the shipper is looking for any trucks on that particular day.

If the answer is “No”, the broker goes on to the next and the next. At some point, the broker hits a “hot” one (or several) and that’s when the action begins.

After the broker has “proved” him or herself, the shipper will actually initiate calls to the broker instead of the broker always calling the shipper. And the shipper may want to work more proactively by looking for trucks 3-5 days out instead of just on a day-by-day basis.

2. The next step is to take the order from the shipper. The shipper will go into detail on what is required. Any uncertainties that the broker has should be cleared up immediately. It’s imperative that the broker communicates the correct information to each caller when they start calling in.

3. Then the broker will either work up an estimate of what rate is needed and they’ll get back with the shipper; or the broker will ask the shipper what they want to pay. After some calculations the freight broker will come up with an amount that they will offer to the truck. The ideal starting point is to get at least a 10% profit margin on each load.

4. The next step is to post these loads on the internet loading boards. There are numerous loading boards where loads are posted as well as searches for trucks that may be done.

5. After these loads have been posted, the broker will then go to his or her database of available trucks. The broker will then call each carrier to see if they have a truck available. In the meanwhile, the broker may be receiving incoming calls from individuals who are responding to the posts on the loading boards.

6. At some point, the broker is looking for the driver or dispatcher who will say, “Yes, I want the load”. Sometimes the broker will not find a truck. This is not like shooting fish in a barrel; however, with experience and by earning repeat business, the broker will “cover” more and more loads.

7. After the broker gets the “Yes” from the carrier, he or she then immediately calls the shipper to tell them that the load is “covered”.

8. The broker will then fax their set up package to the carrier. While the carrier is processing the papers, the broker will check out the carrier to make sure the carrier is properly authorized and insured. This is done either on the internet or telephone.

9. The last item sent to the carrier is the “confirmation”. The carrier should immediately sign and date this document and fax it back to the broker.

10. Once the broker has this confirmation on hand, the broker will want to call the truck driver if the driver himself hasn’t called the broker. The details of the load are then given to the driver along with any instructions. For example, the broker will ask the driver to call when they get loaded and when they get empty or if there is any problem. The broker will also ask the driver to call in at least every morning if it is a multi-day trip. These are important requirements that each broker should be ready to enforce and penalize if there is a blatant disregard by the driver.

11. After the load is delivered and the carrier has reported back to the broker, the broker will want to call the shipper to let them know of the status.

12. Any problems on delivery which may include missing pieces or damaged cargo should be dealt with between the shipper and carrier. Sometimes the broker will intervene; however, the broker is never liable for any damage or missing pieces unless the broker is negligent.

13. Lastly, with the load delivered safely and in a timely fashion, the broker is ready to do the process over and over again.

While this routine may seem casual and boring at times – this is hardly the truth. Most of the time the broker will experience smooth going. However, there will be times when problems will arise. Late deliveries, failure of the carrier to pick up a load, damaged cargo or missing pieces, long delays in picking up or delivering cargo – all of these need to be dealt with by the broker.

It is impossible to avoid problems, but it is possible to stay alert and ready to deal with problems proactively. If the broker works hard and works smart for the shipper, if the broker deals honestly with the truck and pays them on time – the broker is well on his or her way to a successful venture.

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Source by John D. Thomas

6 Tips to Help You Buy a Used Car

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Are you going to buy a used car? If so, you should try your level best to avoid making some common mistakes. After all, you don’t want to get ripped off. Given below are a few tips that can help you protect yourself when investing in a used vehicle.

Get the car inspected

If you are a certified mechanic, you can inspect the car on your own. If you are new to used cars, we suggest that you get the car inspected before buying it. Don’t make the mistake of paying for car before taking it to a good mechanic. The professional will inspect the car for you and will let you know its real value as well as possible faults.

Go for a Test-drive

Don’t just drive the car in a circle. What you need to do is take the car out of the parking lot for a test drive. Actually, driving it on the highway will help you check the accessories. If the car has a major fault, you can negotiate the price with the seller.

Never buy Without seeing the vehicle

At times, people purchase cars online without even taking a closer look at them. Have you found a good but inexpensive car in some other state? You may end up paying for a car that doesn’t match the pictures you viewed on a website. It’s not a good idea to trust an online seller that you have never met before in person.

Check the title

Once you have taken a closer look at the car, what you need to do is inspect its title as well. Actually, this is a very important step. You may want to make sure that the title has no liens.

The purchase agreement

If you are going to purchase from a dealer, you will need to sign a Buyer’s Order or a Purchase Agreement. The documents will govern the transaction. The purchase agreement should not limit your rights or protect all of the rights of the dealer. You should not rely on the verbal promise of the dealer alone.

Buy from an individual

This is very important. Some dealers act in a way that buyers think they are buying from an individual. However, the documents clearly state that the car is being sold by a dealer. Actually, in some states, the act of “curbstoning” is not against the law. However, even if it’s allowed in some states, you may have problems if the sellers kicks off the deal by lying to you.

So, if you are going to buy a second-hand car for the first time, we suggest that you follow the tips given in this article. This will reduce your chances of getting ripped off. And you will be able to get your hands on the right vehicle since you will know all the things that are important for making this big purchase. Just keep in mind that you should have everything in writing. Verbal promises are not very reliable.

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Source by Shalini Madhav