World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) has been raising awareness of dangerous toys and their manufacturers for more than forty years. Although parents have a right to expect that these toys on the market are safe for their children, hazardous toys and resulting injuries are an ongoing problem, and a child in the U.S. is treated every three minutes for a toy-related injury. In a twenty-year span from 1990 to 2011, we have also seen toy-related injuries increase by nearly 40%.
So, each year for more than four decades, W.A.T.C.H. has compiled a list of the “10 Worst Toys”.
- Bunnies by the Bay – This company produced a plush puppy pull-toy which “rests on two sets of red wooden wheels with blue hubcaps.” In June, however, some were recalled due to the hubcaps’ tendency to fall off the wheels and pose choking hazards to young children. Although they are still available, the Consumer Product Safety Commission encourages parents to take these toys from their young children and return them for full refunds.
- Jiefing Toys – They manufacture a foam dart gun for children ages 3 and older which does contain warnings such as “do not modify darts” and “do not aim at eyes or face.” However, some organizations including W.A.T.C.H. allege that these warnings are inadequate and outfitting kids with realistic replicas of weapons can lead to serious accidents.
- Toys R Us, Inc. – They are selling trampolines manufactured by a company called “Stats” which warns that “any physical activity presents a risk of injury” and “adult supervision is required.” While the product instructs that children should only use it when an adult is present, the package’s photo shows a child using the trampoline without adult supervision.
- Skyrocket Toys LLC – For children ages 3 and up Skyrocket produces “Poo-Dough,” which allows them to create their own “poo” from brown dough. Aside from being perhaps a distasteful idea, the product also contains an allergy notice due to wheat, as allergic reactions can include headaches, hives, and difficulty breathing.
- Imperial Toy LLC – This company makes “Smack Shot,” which is similar to a slingshot and can shoot its toy ammunition up to one-hundred feet. It is recommended for children ages 8 and up and comes with many warnings, including “never aim at eyes or face,” “alert anyone within a close distance prior to firing,” and “do not aim or shoot at people or animals.”
- Playsmart Inc. – Playsmart offers the “Kick Flipper,” which helps children ages 5 and up learn how to perform skateboarding tricks. It is plastic, marketed as a “skateboard without wheels,” and not recommended for use on hills, stairs, and inclines. However, there is no mention of safety gear by the manufacturer and the children on the package’s photo are not wearing helmets or other gear.
- Playmates International Company Ltd. – They produce toys for children ages four and up resembling the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The product contains small parts which aren’t suitable for children under 3 years of age, and children are encouraged to use rigid plastic swords in “ninja battles.”
- Walmart Stores, Inc. – They offer a “doctor play set” of eight pieces which is for children ages 2 and up. While the product includes no warnings, there are risks related to ingestion and choking, and it includes replicas of tools for children to play as doctors, such as a five-inch “tongue-depressor” made of thin plastic which can potentially block a child’s airway.
- Early Learning Centre – They create a pull-along animal toy with a cord about 21 inches in length. This poses risks of entanglement and strangulation, as the toy is offered for children as young as twelve months old. The product’s warning is rather vague: “Remember, babies and young children have no idea what is dangerous or potentially harmful, so supervision is important.”
- Hasbro – They produce a toy which replicates the claws of a Velociraptor (as portrayed in Jurassic Park). These oversized claws are meant for children ages 4 and up and contain the warning, “small parts will be generated. Not for children under three years.” However, the product contains no warnings or references to the risks of facial or eye injuries from its claw-like protrusions.
Filing and pursuing a products liability claim can be a complex process. If your child has been injured due to a defective product, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.