If you have toys on your holiday shopping list this year, don’t buy anything until you’ve done your research. Every three minutes a child is treated for a toy-related injury, and most can be prevented just by choosing safe and reliable products.
2018’s Most Dangerous Toys
Toys are made specifically for babies and children, but that doesn’t mean they are safe. The non-profit organization World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) is dedicated to exposing negligent manufactures who put dangerous toys on the market known to cause serious injuries, illnesses, or even death to unsuspecting kids. This week, WATCH released their new ’10 Worst Toys’ list for 2018 to spread awareness to holiday shoppers of which products to avoid while browsing the shelves this weekend:
- CHIEN À PROMENER PULL ALONG DOG: This infant toy has a pull string that measures at 19-inches long, violating the industry standard by exceeding 12-inches in length and posing a strangulation risk to children.
- CUTTING FRUIT: This toddler play cutting set includes a knife that is hard enough to cause blunt trauma injuries and puncture wounds. It’s marketed to children as young as two-years-old.
- STOMP ROCKET ULTRA ROCKET: The stomp action on this rocket can launch the toy up to 200 feet in the air. However, if the rocket is not aimed away from the child stomping or others surfing the toy, the force of the rocket could cause serious injuries to the eyes and face.
- NICA WONDERLAND DOLL- MINICLARA THE BALLERINA: This doll made for toddlers is not harmful itself, but it comes with a detachable, plush pet friend named ‘little kitten’ that is a choking hazard for young children.
- ZOO JAMX XYLOPHONE: This musical instrument includes an attached drumstick measuring at 9-inches long. Marketed towards 1-1/2 to 4-year-olds, the drumstick is long and slender enough to choke a child if they attempt to swallow it.
- CABBAGE PATCH KID DANCE TIME DOLL: This doll marketed to toddlers comes with a headband that comes off easily and poses a choking hazard if a child were to ingest the accessory.
- POWER RANGERS SUPER NINJA STEEL SUPERSTAR BLADE: This plastic blade is hard and spring-loaded, yet made for kids as young as 4-years-old. It could cause serious impact injuries to the head and face.
- MARVEL BLACK PANTHER SLASH CLAW: Modeled after a popular superhero, these plastic claws are rigid, hard, and geared towards kids as young as 5-years-old. In addition to the possibility of facial and eye lacerations from impact, small pieces of these claws are known to break off which could be choking hazards.
- NERF VORTEX VTX PRAXIS BLASTER: This gun shoots 10 discs in a row forcefully and is marketed towards kids as young as 8-years-old. The discs could cause facial and eye injuries if shot at others, which most kids plan to do when using NERF guns.
- NICKELODEON NELLA PRINCESS KNIGHT PILLOW PETS SLEEPTIME LITES: This nightlight is made for infants but has warnings that battery-related injuries are possible due to acid leaks. There are also small felt flower and heart decorations that could cause harm if ingested.
How To Avoid Harmful Toys
You don’t have to skip the toy aisles completely to avoid purchasing harmful toys. Using these helpful buying tips can allow you to find fun and safe products this weekend, as well as avoid unnecessary injuries to your child that could put a damper on your holiday spirit:
- Check For Recalls: Research any toys on your child’s list for current safety recalls prior to hitting the stores.
- Check The History: If the toys do not have current recalls, check to see if there are any news stories or articles on known injuries that occur with these particular products.
- Buy Quality: Spending more money on quality toys as opposed to less money on cheaper toys could help prevent your child from injuries due to poorly made products.
- Check Out The Box: While some boxes may be damaged simply from over handling by shoppers, some damaged boxes could be a sign that the product may also have been damaged or was returned due to defects.
- Follow Age Restrictions: Most age restrictions are put in place to protect younger kids from injuries. Don’t ignore these recommendations- they are there for a reason.
One of the biggest holiday shopping tips for toys is to stick to stores and websites you know. There is an endless number of scammers and manufacturers who are out to make as much money as possible this holiday season, without considering your children’s safety a priority. Toys purchased from these manufacturers may be knock-offs of popular items and made from cheap and harmful materials. If the deal seems too good to be true, you can bet it probably is.
Shop Smart for CT Kids
The law firm of Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a safe and happy shopping holiday! Keep an eye out for both savings and safety this weekend to help protect your kids from preventable toy-related injuries this season.
If your child has sustained a serious injury caused by a toy-related accident, our aggressive team of personal injury attorneys is here to seek justice for you. Contact us today to explore your options for fighting back against toy manufactures who put children in harm’s way.
