APKH&C offers information to help parents become more informed. Compiled from research by the consumer group W.A.T.C.H. or the World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), these toys are the ones which may be likely to pose safety hazards for your children. Information like this has been used to help protect the lives of children by preventing their sale and educating parents.
The 10 most dangerous toys for 2013 as determined by W.A.T.C.H. are described below. For more information, go to www.toysafety.org.
- Army Force Automatic Rifle $19.95 Chuangfa Toys Factory. Choking hazard, small parts. Other concerns included offering children realistic toy weapons which may produce dangerous and unnecessary thrills.
- Big Rock and Roll Ball Pit $39.99 The Little Tikes Company. Young children are encouraged to climb in or push a rolling inflatable ball pit which illustrates unsupervised children at play.
- Max Steel Interactive Steel with Turbo Sword $27.99 Mattel. Children are encouraged to attach a rigid plastic sword, measuring approximately 2 feet long which has the potential to cause facial or other impact injuries.
- Disney Princess Backpack Fishing Kit $14.98 Disney and Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Jarden Corp. Contains lead.
- Black Widow Folding Slingshot $30.75 Barnett Outdoors, LLC. Marketed as the “most powerful slingshot in the world”. It is illegal for slingshots to be sold in Massachusetts and other states offer similar statutes.
- Little Drummer $19.99 Hape Toys. Sticks pose a potential threat to children and manufacturer offers no warnings.
- Boomerang “Throw and Catch” $1.27 (based on $30.46 for a case of 24) Kole Imports. A toy designed to be thrown. Rigid plastic, the manufacturer advises that this toy should not be aimed at children or animals.
- Disney Baby Snow White $13.99 Tollytots Limited. Children as young as 2 are encouraged to add this doll to their collection. It is sold wearing a detachable headband which poses a significant choking hazard.
- N-Strike Jolt Blaster $4.99 Hasbro. A toy which children are encouraged to hide in their pocket and is powerful enough to cause eye injuries.
- The Spooner-Freestyle $39.99 Spooner Inc. A polyethylene board similar to a skateboard without wheels, children are encouraged to find tips online for tricks which can be done on all surfaces without mentioning anything about wearing safety gear.
PIRG analyzed 50 toys for its report. From choking hazards to toxic toys, 10 of those known to have safety issues can be found below
- Lamaze Take and Tidy Activity Mat – Tested at 900 ppm Antimony (Sb). Although this product may or may not violate the CPSIA’s soluble Antimony limit (60ppm), its total antimony of 900ppm puts infants at risk for exposure.
- Captain America Soft Shield – Lead poses chronic health hazards to children.
- Punch Balloons – Balloons are dangerous for children under 8, but this toy is labeled for 5+.
- Gobble Gobble Guppies – The round fish are bigger than choke tube but smaller than small ball tester.
- Bead Kit – No small parts warning, which is required for toys intended for children between 4 and 6 that contain small parts.
- Mutant Ninja Turtles Pencil Case– Tested at 150,000 ppm DEHP and 600 ppm cadmium. Although this children’s product is not a toy subject to either the CPSIA’s phthalates or toxic metals limits, these hazards should be eliminated from all children’s products.
- Sonic Sound Sizzlers Noise Magnets – The toy contains two high powered magnets that are near small parts. If the toy was a small part, it would be banned for children under 14.
- Chat & Count Smart Phone – The toy tests at above 85+ decibels and is intended to be held close to the ear.
- Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Remote – The toy tests at above 85+ decibels and may be held close to the ear.
- Littlest Pet Shop – Seal and Dolphins – The round head of the seal easily detaches and barely passes the small parts test but fails the small ball test.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers information on what to watch for when buying toys for your children this year including:
- Plastic film on toys and children’s products are known to be a choking hazard
- Toys with strings and straps can strangle young children
- Toys with small magnets, when swallowed, may cause intestinal injuries
- Balloons may cause suffocation
- Toy gun caps can ignite in children’s pockets
Be careful when choosing toys for your child. Be a vigilant parent and buy toys which are age appropriate.