Every December kids all around the world create their holiday gift wish list and then eagerly await their arrival. But before you go making your holiday shopping list and checking it twice, be sure that the child’s must-have toys aren’t dangerous ones. For example, last year the hot holiday gift was hoverboards, which as it turns out, are not all created equal. Many were recalled after catching on fire. So which hazardous toys should you be cautious about purchasing?
World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) has compiled a list of the top 10 worst toys of 2016.
- Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddles Family – This toy made the list because its small parts pose a choking hazard which is not always clearly marked on the packaging. Strangely, some of the packages display a warning while others do not.
- Kids Time Baby Children’s Elephant Pillow – Despite its plush, cozy appearance, the pillow has the potential for suffocation. The retailer has marketed the product with an image of an infant cuddling the pillow while alone. However, as indicated by WATCH, it is well documented by safety agencies that infant pillows can cause suffocation by blocking the baby’s mouth.
- Slimeball Slinger – Older kids may jump at the chance to fling “slimeballs” from a slingshot-like launcher. However, the “slimeballs” are said to have the potential to cause serious eye injury since they can be slung at long distances with great force.
- Banzai Bump N’ Bounce Body Jumpers – A popular toy this season are inflatable bubbles that kids can wear and bounce around in. It may seem safe for kids to run into each other with the extra cushioning, but the impact dangers are extremely risky.
- Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster – Packaged with the wording, “experience the intensity,” these Nerf guns are strong. Once again, this is a toy that packs enough power to cause serious eye injuries.
- The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch – It’s no secret that kids love to play with toys that are modeled after their favorite movie characters. This particular toy, however, has a pointy tail, which is where the sound and movement activation button is making it a potential threat for puncture wound injuries.
- Peppy Pups – Marketed as a pull toy, this unassuming looking toy is actually a strangulation danger. The toy’s cord measures approximately 31 inches.
- Flying Heroes Superman Launcher – Superheroes are as popular as ever and so are the toys. This toy, however, isn’t very heroic. Marketed as safe for children four years old and up, the launcher can cause eye and facial injuries.
- Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby – Recommended for kids as young as two years old, the toy set comes complete with an interactive spoon to feed the baby doll. The problem is that the spoon is slender making it a chocking hazard.
- Warcraft Doomhammer – Based on the movie “Warcraft,” the toy is a relatively large and heavy plastic hammer that simulates a weapon used in the film. However, no warnings are on the package about the potential for injury from playing with the sturdy plastic hammer.
Even when toys are properly marked, it’s easy to ignore the warnings or miss them all together when discarding the packaging. With kids’ imaginations running wild and impulsive playtime tendencies, it can be a challenge to keep them safe. Your best bet is to know the injury risks of each toy and to keep a close eye on your kids at all times. However, despite your best efforts, an injury may occur. Serious injuries that result from using a product may entitle you to compensation under a products liability claim. Speak to a personal injury attorney that can help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to after a serious injury.
References:
2016 “10 Worst Toys” (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from http://toysafety.org/portfolio_category/2016-10-worst-toys/
