When looking for children’s gifts for the holiday season, it is important that you remain aware of the dangers that some of the toys in the marketplace pose. Granted, in an ideal world, it would be great if toy manufacturers only made toys that were safe for use and didn’t pose choking, suffocation, aspiration, or strangulation hazards. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and every year, there are kids who end up with serious injuries because of a dangerous toy or another defective product.
Each year, World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) issues its list of 10 Worst Toys List:
Pull Along Caterpillar: Comes with a breakaway pull string that can become a choking hazard.
Buzz Magnets: A child might choke if he/she swallows one of the small magnet pieces. Swallowing the magnets may cause internal injuries.
Ballzillion Tug Boat Play Center: Injuries or death can result if this toy is used as a flotation device.
Supasplat Splatblaster: This toy gun can cause injuries to the face, eyes, or other body parts.
Spy Gear Split-Blaster: Darts can be an eye injury hazard.
My First Mini Cycle: If a toddler falls off the cycle, head injuries are possible.
Kung Fu Panda Sword of Heroes: Although the sword is made of hard plastic, it can still cause serious impact injuries.
Walkaroo II Aluminum Stilts: Falling from the stilts can cause serious head injuries.
Big Bang Rocket: May cause hearing impairment.
Animal Alley Pony: The pony’s fiber-like hair may cause ingestion problems or aspiration injuries.
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups, recently issued its 2010 Trouble in Toyland Report. It offers safety guidelines of toy buyers and discusses some of the key hazards still found in kids’ toys.
2010 Worst Toys List, WATCH
Top 6 Common Hazards, US PIRG
Related Web Resources:
Consumer Reports
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