Grandparents’ holiday season is almost here, and we are still hearing reports about new toy hazards almost every day. Recently the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled Aqua Dots, one of the most popular toys on the market, because it has a coma-inducing toxin in it!

It is time to do something about this. That is why the Minnesota Senior Federation has joined Consumers Union in launching the “Twelve Days of Safe Shopping” campaign.

We need your help. Sign up to be a “Safe Shopper” today: www.consumersunion.org/SafeShopper.

Each safe shopper will receive a free coupon book in the mail with coupons that tell retailers what you expect them to do to keep your grandchildren safe this year. When you go shopping just tear off each coupon and give it to the cashier when you buy something and ask that they give it to the store manager.

So far this year more than 20 million toys have been recalled, mostly from lead-laden paint. That’s not including all the other hazardous products. Let’s work together to show retailers we’re serious about safety.

For the last few months, all we’ve heard about is one recall after another. Now it’s time retailers hear from us: safety should not be an option when we shop this holiday season, it should be a given. With tens of thousands of volunteers like you, retailers will take notice and know we mean business.