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View Full Version : FOAM MATTS.......is anything safe anymore???



Trace of Angels
05-16-2013, 01:17 PM
Did anyone hear about the danger of foam playmats? I just heard from a friend but there is no recall in Canada?
I am sure many of us use these mats.
Just wondered what everyone thought and wondered if you were removing them immediately or are we all being overprotective...... ..

sunnydays
05-16-2013, 01:23 PM
Is it due to a choking hazard? Or something else? I have actually been thiking about trimming the edges of mine so they are straight edges (the trimming pieces were too much of a pain to keep on as the kids kept pulling them off) because the little puzzle piece parts can definitely be a choking hazard if a child bites it off (that's why I took away the trim pieces...kids would rip them up and then stuff the end in their mouths!).

Trace of Angels
05-16-2013, 01:28 PM
No I think the news is saying they contain some type of poison..........

shopgirl
05-16-2013, 01:31 PM
many years ago they were believed to have many toxins.. I have never had them in my house for that reason... is that what they are still talking about?

Skysue
05-16-2013, 01:31 PM
The recall is from Europe and health canada has yet to release anything. My kids don't eat off my matter or sleep on them so I'm ok with it so far!

shopgirl
05-16-2013, 01:32 PM
yeah - that has been out there for many years... i remember thinking of getting them 4 years ago when my youngest was a baby but saw all the warnings and nastiness and so we have never had them in our house.... although they are in the schools!:rolleyes:

Artsand crafts
05-16-2013, 01:34 PM
That is surprising, but I just found some info in the web at http://toxicfoammats.com/

Artsand crafts
05-16-2013, 01:35 PM
I found another link with info about it: http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/find-safe-foam-mats-for-toddlers-to-play-on/

Skysue
05-16-2013, 01:36 PM
http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/find-safe-foam-mats-for-toddlers-to-play-on/

Skysue
05-16-2013, 01:41 PM
[B]http://www.softtiles.com/ These are good ones!

Artsand crafts
05-16-2013, 01:45 PM
[B]http://www.softtiles.com/ These are good ones!

Thanks Skysue! Have you purchased from this website?

Trace of Angels
05-16-2013, 01:46 PM
So what do you guys thing? Are you pulling them or waiting?

sunnydays
05-16-2013, 01:46 PM
Okay...this is really crappy! I do find this concerning, to tell you the truth as I have always been concerned about the amount of chemicals we are all exposed to and especially the kids! I have a huge section of these foam mats in my playroom. I need something there because I have a play structure there. Anyone know of an alternative to these mats?

sunnydays
05-16-2013, 01:47 PM
The article said that all EVA foam tiles likely contain formamide, but that they can claim to be formamide free if they have under a certain level.



[B]http://www.softtiles.com/ These are good ones!

Artsand crafts
05-16-2013, 01:48 PM
I will do further research before doing anything. I have foam mats all over my daycare.

playfelt
05-16-2013, 01:49 PM
Why not just leave the foam mats there but cover the area with a blanket of some sort and that will add another layer of cushioning and also be washable.

We used to have a few in the kitchen when our dog got old cause she couldn't manage the ceramic tiles to get to her food dish but I hated how much dirt collected between them as in you clean them but when you lift them there was debris that had gotten on the floor from where the mats joined. Do not miss them in use. However we do use them outside in the playhouse as it has no floor so gets muddy. That won't happen this year though as we are building a deck and the playhouse will be on the deck due to the floor situation.

Skysue
05-16-2013, 02:14 PM
They can claim free if they only have 10% of the chemical! What are the side effects anyways? We have been using the matts for 5 years. I don't really see the need to remove them, if health canada saw the need they would have done a recall. Just my 2 cents though everything these days is bad for you!

Skysue
05-16-2013, 02:27 PM
Here is the study done in France http://www.papalogic.com/foam-mats-health-risk-the-results-are-in/

It says that the risk is there for the 1st 28 days and it's from the fumes it gives off, so the matts I have are fine as they are a few years old. With that said I won't be buying any more unless 100% chemical free!