November 20, 2018
With the holiday season here, many parents are on the look-out for this year’s most popular toys for their children. However, it is important that parents shop with caution as many toys can pose potential risks to children. Every year, thousands of children face serious injuries relating to toys. Recently, a safety group released its annual list of the “10 Worst Toys” for the holidays.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2017, there were an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries treated at hospital emergency departments. Of these injuries, 38 percent were classified as lacerations, contusions, or abrasions. As many as 44 percent of these injuries were to the head and face area, the most commonly affected area, according to CPSC.
Every year, the World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) organization puts together a list of toys that pose a potential risk of injury to children. Toys that make the list are usually deemed poorly designed and lacking adequate and consistent warnings, cautions, and safety recommendations.
The year’s W.A.T.C.H. list of “10 Worst Toys” includes:
- Nickelodeon Nella Princess Knight Pillow Pets Sleeptime Lites –$19.99
Marketed for infants as a nightlight for a baby’s room, the toy is embellished with a small, felt-like flower and heart-tag accessory which, if removed, could be a potential choking hazard. The manufacturer identifies a “battery acid leakage hazard.”
- Nerf Vortex VTX Praxis Blaster – $34.99
The Nerf gun allows children as young as eight to shoot 10 discs consecutively “with pump-action blasting.” The force of the discs presents the potential for eye and facial injuries.
- Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw – $9.99
Based on the popular superhero comic and movie, these rigid, plastic claws sold to ages 5 and up allow the child to “slash” like the character. If children are not careful, they could cause injuries to the eyes and face.
- Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Superstar Blade – $29.99
Young kids can “power up” with this spring-loaded plastic blade which can cause injuries, especially when aimed towards the face. The toy’s warning label cautions users against swinging or poking the toy at others.
- Cabbage Patch Dance Time Doll – $14.99
Despite the fact the doll is marketed for children ages two years old and older, it includes a “removable” headband that could be potentially ingested or choked on. The doll comes with no warning label.
- Vtech Zoo Jamz Xylophone– $14.96
A caterpillar themed instrument designed for babies as young as one and half years old. No warnings are provided by the toy’s manufacturer about the toy’s 9-inch- long drumstick handle. The handle could obstruct a child’s airway if he or she puts it in their mouth.
- NICI Wonderland Doll: Miniclara the Ballerina – $24.99
The doll marketed to children as young as two years old is sold with a small kitten accessory. The kitten accessory can detach, posing a choking hazard if ingested.
- Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket – $19.99
Marketed to children six years and older, users are encouraged to “run, jump, and stomp” to launch a rocket up to 200 feet in the air. If users are not careful around the launch site, the rocket could injure their eyes, faces, or other areas.
- Kid O Cutting Fruit – $39.99
The magnetic apple, pear, and orange are sold with a “slicing knife” that is made of hard plastic. The “slicing knife” can potentially cause puncture wounds or other blunt force trauma injuries.
- Janod Pull Along Dog – $14.99
Although the industry requires crib and playpen toys to be less than 12 inches in length, toy manufactures can market “pull toys” with a 19-inch cord, like the Janod Pull Along Dog toy. Despite being a potential strangulation hazard if left in the wrong place, no warnings are provided on the toy.
While the W.A.T.C.H. list of toys does not include every toy that has the potential to cause a child harm, it is important that individuals be mindful of design, inadequate or inconsistent warnings, cautions, and safety recommendations while shopping for loved ones. The Rinaldo and Gimbrone, PC is committed to protecting the rights of children and helping families with legal matters. If your child has suffered a serious injury as a result of a dangerous or defective product or toy, our attorneys can review your matter and advise you of your legal rights and remedies. For more information or to schedule a consultation with our New Jersey product liability lawyers, call 973-346-8700.
