“Tis the Season To Be Careful: The Toy You Just Purchased May Be Dangerous

It’s easy to get lulled into believing that the toys you buy for your children are safe. After all, it’s 2016, and surely if toys get through testing and get placed on the market, they must be safe, right? According to a number of organizations committed to keeping children safe, this is false.

Last month, W.A.T.C.H., the World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc., put out its list of the 2016 most dangerous toys. According to W.A.T.C.H., this year’s list includes toys that pose risks of strangulation, choking and suffocation.

Here’s the complete list:

1. Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddles Family, Manufacturer, Jazwares, LLC. The toy comes with a warning that it presents a “choking hazard” due to small parts, but depending on the packaging, the age recommendation is as young as two years old.
2. Kids Time Baby Children’s Elephant Pillow, Manufacturer, Kids Time US; Appease Toys. Large, plush elephant stuffed pillow, with no warnings or age recommendations on the product. The retailer’s website, Amazon.com shows a picture on an infant snuggling with the elephant alone. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that pillows can block a baby’s mouth and cause the baby to suffocate. Moreover, pillows for use with children under the age of one have been banned by the Federal Hazardous Substance Act.
3. Slimeball Slinger, Manufacturer or Distributor, Diggin Active, Inc. What is essentially a slingshot is used to launch balls, which can be fired “over 30 feet.” Such a launch has the potential to cause serious eye injuries.
4. Banzai Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers, Manufacturer or Distributor, ToyQuest. The bumper suit, recommended for children as young as age four, comes with a warning that states that the suit “does not provide protection” and that “protective equipment” should be worn, but the packaging depicts children running into each other without any “protection.”
5. Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster, Manufacturer or Distributor, Hasbro. A “blaster” with an “easy-load magazine” that shoots ammunition. The packages warns that a child should wear a mask to protect the face and eyes, but a face mask is not included.
6. The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch, Manufacturer or Distributor, Tomy. The product is advertised for use by children as young as three years old.       Operation of the product requires a child to push a button on the dinosaur’s tail which is rigid and pointed and could cause a puncture wound.
7. Peppy Pups, Manufacturer or Distributor, TPF Toys, Ltd.       Recommended for children as young as age two, despite its 31 inch cord which presents a potential for strangulation.
8. Flying Heroes Superman Launcher, Manufacturer or Distributor, I-Star Entertainment, LLC; The Bridge Direct, Inc. While the warning advises not to “aim at eyes or face,” the launcher is recommended for children as young as four years old. The flying hero aimed improperly poses a risk for eye and facial injuries.
9. Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby, Manufacturer or Distributor, New Adventures LLC LTD. This baby doll, recommended for children as young as two years old, comes with a 1 2/3 inch long plastic spoon which could occlude a child’s airway if it is placed in the mouth.
10. Warcroft Doomhammer, Manufacturer or Distributor, Jakks Pacific, Inc. Product comes with a heavy, rigid plastic battle hammer, which carries the potential for blunt impact injures.

These are just the “worst toys” of the year, according to W.A.T.C.H. Parents and others need to pay attention this holiday season when shopping for toys.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a toy, the lawyers at KJC Law Firm may be able to help. The product liability lawyers at KJC Law Firm handle cases for clients all across the state of Massachusetts. Our lawyers have more than 90 years of experience litigating cases and bring our years of insight to every case we take on. We have the resources to investigate your claim, hire necessary experts, and get you the compensation that you deserve.