Now that Christmas is over, children all over the world that were fortunate enough to receive gifts are enjoying playing with their new loot. While the week after Christmas is a fun one for sure, parents should vigilantly monitor children while playing to prevent any injuries from toys. CBS News ranked the Top 10 Most Dangerous Toys of 2014, according to the group World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH. If your child has any of these toys, please note the following:
The Zing Air Storm Fire Tek Bow, a light-up power bow: The manufacturer’s warning to not aim the arrows at people or animals may be unrealistic for a small child to obey.
Radio Flyer Ziggle, a twist and wiggle-type glider: While the manufacturer recommends that children must wear a helmet and safety gear at all times, the child pictured on the box is wearing no such protection.
Toysmith Catapencil, a pencil that doubles as a catapault-type launcher for small objects: Sharpened pencils “should not be marketed as playthings, much less a miniature slingshot-style launcher,” according to WATCH.
The SkipHop Alphabet Zoo Rock & Stack Pull Toy: The string on this pull toy is 20 inches long, 8 inches longer than the industry standard, which poses a strangulation hazard.
Junxing Toys Industrial SWAT Electronic Machine Gun, a toy machine gun: WATCH claims that, in this day and age, there is no justification for a toy machine gun to produce dangerous thrills, and that replicas over the years have led to deaths.
Wal-Mart Spark. Create. Imagine. Wooden Instruments, a set of instruments: Children could choke on the wooden drumstick.
Science Wiz Bottle Rocket Party: This set of bottle rockets poses a risk of eye, face, and other injuries.
JC Toys Lil’ Cutesies Best Friends, a baby doll deemed for ages 2 and up: The bow on the baby’s head can detach and become a choking hazard.
Toys ‘R Us True Legends Orcs Battle Hammer, a hammer-like toy: No warnings on the product combined with the product’s tacit encouragement to hit another with the hard plastic battle hammer measuring almost two feet in length equal a dangerous toy
Toys ‘R Us Plush Colored Hedgehog: This stuffed animal designed for infants has long, fiber-like hair that is not sufficiently attached to the toy, posing an ingestion or aspiration hazard.
In addition to watching children while playing with their toys, it is wise to periodically check reliable sources for any recalls. Parents can visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website, at www.upsc.gov to research and view all recent recalls. You can also search product safety reports there, and report an unsafe product. All government recalls can be viewed on www.recalls.gov.
In terms of certain children’s products specifically, register on www.safekids.org to receive a list monthly of child-related recalls gathered from the following sources: Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Enjoy watching your children play, but conduct some due diligence to ensure their toys are safe, which will provide you with peace of mind. If, despite your best efforts, your child is injured as a result of an unsafe or defective product, please call the attorneys at Brooks Law Group to discuss your situation. We are here to help.
