Consumer Watchdog Lists Most Dangerous Toys for 2016

Just in time for the holidays, a consumer watchdog group has released their list of the most dangerous toys for 2016. W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) has provided the list based on concerns like inconsistent or inaccurate warnings or age recommendations for toys, as well as potential hazards in the toy design.

The group is advising parents to use caution when shopping for toys for their children this holiday season, particularly when considering the toys on their list of safety concerns.

Prevalence of toy injuries

Every three minutes in the United States, a child is treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury, according to W.A.T.C.H. In 2014 alone, there were more than 251,000 injuries involving toys. In addition, between 2010 and 2014, 61 deaths were related to toy injuries. Because toys are not a necessity of life, accidents involving these devices can be that much more tragic.

While dangerous toys pose a year-round threat to children, the problem tends to become more prevalent at Christmas time, when a large percentage of toys are actually purchased for the year. The hope of W.A.T.C.H. is that parents will use the information provided by the watchdog group to select safe toys for their children that will bring both peace of mind and enjoyment the whole year through. The organization also uses their list to call attention to the need for more stringent oversight and regulation of toys that come onto the market to protect children from potential hazards before they occur.

Top 10 most dangerous toys

The list provided by W.A.T.C.H. includes the following 10 toys:

• Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddles Family – small parts create a choking hazard and appropriate warnings are not found on all of these toys
• Kids Time Baby Children’s Elephant Pillow – while the packaging information shows a picture of an infant snuggling with the oversized pillow, there is widespread evidence that pillows like this one can pose a suffocation hazard to very small children.
• Slimeball Slinger – the speed at which the green slime is emitted from this machine can create a risk for an eye injury.
• Banzai Bump and Bounce Body Bump – the large plastic inflatable balls are worn by younger children as they are encouraged to run into one another. Unfortunately, safety equipment is not included in the product package.
• Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster – although this toy also has the potential to cause eye injury, there is no warning label to that effect and no protective eyewear is included.
• The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch – this toy features a sharply pointed tail that can result in a puncture wound if the user is not careful
• Peppy Pups – this stuffed toy comes with a long leash that can pose a strangulation risk, but the toy does not carry any warning to that effect
• Flying Heroes Superman Launcher – the toy, which is marketed to children as young as four, may carry a risk of eye and facial injury when launched improperly
• Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby – despite the fact that this toy does not come with a warning, one of the pieces can block  child’s airway if it is placed into the mouth
• Warcraft Doomhammer – the hard plastic and blunt shape of the hammer could cause injury on impact, but there is no warning to that effect on the product packaging

Product liability attorneys in LA

While this list provides parents with important information about possible hazards involving some of the most popular toys of 2016, it does not list every toy that could harm a child this year. If your child is injured by a toy due to manufacturer defect or failure of the manufacturer to provide warning about hazards, you may be entitled to damages for your child’s injuries.

At Ellis Injury Law, we help families every day that have been affected by the negligence of a product manufacturer. To learn more or to receive a free assessment of your case, contact a Los Angeles product liability lawyer today at 310-641-3335.