Most family and friends won’t necessarily consider that the gifts they buy this Christmas might affect your child’s safety. Or, perhaps even you as a parent assumed because it was available to purchase, the toys Santa gifts each year will not pose any harm to your son or daughter. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission data shows otherwise. Since 2014 thru 2016 (most recent data), 35 children died from playing with toys and this year, U.S. emergency rooms are expected to treat more than 250,000 toy-related injuries. Of those injuries, around 70 percent will happen to children younger than 12 years of age and roughly 35 percent of toy-related injuries will happen to children younger than 5 years of age. Many toys are deemed unsafe for children due to age appropriateness or a missed recall, lack of safety and warning information, or even fail at providing simple directions.
Parents can prevent toy-related injuries by watching out for the types of dangers that are common with children’s toys and monitor any holiday purchases (or gifts given any time of year) for them. If any of the following toy risks are present after this Christmas, you will want to remove the toy from your child immediately:
- Too many boxes are improperly or inadequately labeled for toy dangers leaving small parts that can be ingested or swallowed by small children. Do NOT rely on the recommended ages or warnings on the box—use your own discretion instead.
- Toys that serve as or include projectiles that can cause severe eye injury or blindness. Remember that it can still cause damage even if the projectile is not sharp or made of a hard material, though those will certainly amplify any injury.
- Heavy, rigid toys that can be used to hit another child, especially if the nature of the toy itself encourages hitting or fighting in any way.
- Toys with strings may be long enough to result in strangulation, especially for small children. Pull toys with too-long of strings are classic examples of this hazard.
- Toxic substances can be hard to recognize, but you should always question the materials, including paints on toys and play makeup laced with asbestos. If something seems off, don’t use the toy or seek further information before giving it to a child.
- Suffocation risks is most often a concern with infants who play with very soft, plush toys.
Review The 2018 Dangerous Toy Lists Before Opening New Toys
You can also view a list of recalled toys by the Consumer Product Safety Commission here. We have also included a list from World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.), a watchdog group that has been releasing a list of dangerous toys for over 40 years. If your child received any of these gifts for Christmas this year, beware.
- Nickelodeon Nella Princess Knight Pillow Pets Sleeptime Lights, $20
- Nerf Vortex VTX Praxis Blaster, $35
- Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw, $10
- Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Superstar Blade, $30
- Cabbage Patch Kids Dance Time Doll, $15
- Zoo Jamz Xylophone, $15
- Nici Wonderland Doll: Miniclara the Ballerina, $25
- Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket, $20
- Cutting Fruit from Kid O Toys, $30
- Chien A Promener Pull Along Dog, $15
Resist from getting advice from lists only though. Approach all toy purchases cautiously, with risks in mind, and make a thought out, researched, safe decisions when considering what gifts to give your children and what toys you will allow them to keep.
Child Injured by a Toy? Talk to an Experienced Product Liability Lawyer
Parents may have a case of product liability or wrongful death if there was a defect in the design, manufacturing, or a missed warning for the toy and their child was seriously injured or died. A child who is injured by a toy may need intensive medical or therapeutic care for months after the injury occurs. In the most severe cases, a child can die as a result of a poorly designed or manufactured toy.
If your child was injured or died as a result of an unsafe toy, the product liability and wrongful death attorneys at Wagner Reese can help. Call us today for a risk-free, no-cost initial consultation: (888) 204-8440. You can also share additional details with us by submitting our online form.