Are you buying safe toys for your children this holiday season? Safety should be your number one priority when purchasing toys. Just because a toy might have good review does not necessarily mean it is safe for children. World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about dangerous children’s products and protecting them from harm. According to the latest statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 240,000 toy-related injuries in the U.S. in 2016, and a reported 35 children died from toy-related incidents from 2014 – 2016.
Here is the Top 10 worst toy list for 2018 from W.A.T.C.H.
Nella Princess Knight Pillow Sleeptime Lites
This product made the list because of its potential for ingestion and battery-related injuries. The product is marketed for infants however not intended to be used in a crib and stated battery could cause acid leakage.
Cabbage Patch Dance Time Doll
The doll has an age recommendation of 2+. WATCH says the doll could cause choking injuries because of its removable headband.
Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw
This rigid plastic claw could cause eye and facial injuries.
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket
The plastic rocket can soar as high as 200 feet when inflated launcher is stomped. This could cause serious eye and face injuries if directed at someone.
Chien A Promener
The dog pulling toy has an age recommendation of 12 to 36 months. However, this toy has the potential for entanglement and strangulation injuries but does not come with any warnings. The string is 19 inches in which is supposed to 16 or less.
Nerf Vortex VTX Praxis Blaster
This nerf gun could potentially cause eye injuries due to its powerful blast. The toy is recommended for kids 8+ and comes with a choking hazard warning and cautions children not to aim at faces.
Nici Wonderland Doll: Miniclara the Ballerina
The stuffed animal is meant for children 2+ but comes with potential for choking injuries. WATCH alleges that the doll’s removable kitten accessory could be ingested and the toy does not come with a warning
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Superstar Blade
This toy is recommended for kids 4+ but comes with the potential for blunt force and eye injuries due to its sharp plastic blade.
Zoo Jamz Xylophone
The xylophone poses a choking hazard because of the drumstick it includes. The toy is recommended for children 1-4 years old and does not come with any warning.
Cutting Fruit
The Cutting Fruit toy by Kid O Toys could cause puncture and blunt force injuries with its plastic “slicing knife.” Its age recommendation is for children 2 and over and warns parents to remove the packaging material before giving the toy to their children.
Toy Safety for Every Age
Here are some age-specific guidelines to keep in mind according to www.kidshealth.com.
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
- Toys should be large enough – at least 1 ¼ in diameter and 2 ¼ in length so they can’t be swallowed
- Avoid marbles, coins, and balls
- Battery-operated toys should have battery cases that secure with screws so that kids can’t get them open
- Make sure toys don’t have sharp ends or small parts, strings longer than 7 inches, parts that could pinch small fingers
- Riding toys should come with straps
- Stuffed animals sold at carnivals, fairs, etc are not required to meet safety standards
For Grade-Schoolers
- Bicycles, scooters, skating should never be used without a helmets
- Nets should be well constructed and firmly attached to the rim
- Toy darts or arrows should have soft tips
- Electric toys should be labeled UL, meaning they meet safety standards
Contact Us
If you have been injured by a dangerously defective toy and/or product, you can count on Sam C. Mitchell & Associates to investigate and explore all of your options. Give us a call at 618-932-2772 or contact us at http://www.scmitchell.com/contact-us/
