Consumer Advocates Name Most Dangerous Toys Of 2015
Parents and caregivers take note: World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (WATCH) has released its annual list of the most dangerous toys of the past year. Some of these have been the subject of toy recalls. When determining the safety profile of a toy, consumer advocates consider whether the toy might pose a choking hazard, lead to bodily injuries, mimic a real weapon, or even lead to allergic reactions, among other potential dangers.
Top 10 dangerous toys
The list of the year’s most dangerous toys according to WATCH is as follows:
- “Bud” Skipit’s Wheely Cute Pull Along manufactured and distributed by Bunnies by the Bay. The product does not include any safety warnings and has been labeled for use by children ages six months and older. The toy is a plush puppy on hard plastic wheels. In June 2015, some lots were recalled because the wheels posed a choking hazard.
- Foam Dart Gun, which was manufactured or distributed by GD Jiefeng Toys for children ages three years and older. The warnings caution children not to aim the darts at the eyes or face and not to modify the darts. WATCH lists this toy because “In today’s world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy weapons designed to produce potentially dangerous and unnecessary thrills. Existing regulations addressing the hazards associated with such ‘toys’ are inadequate. Detailed replicas have resulted in a number of deaths through the years and should never be sold as toys.”
- Stats 38 Quick Folding Trampoline, which is intended for children ages six and up. This toy is listed because it may cause serious injury, paralysis, or death, even in the event that a child falls off the trampoline and onto a bed.
- Poo-Dough is for children ages three and older. While this toy made the list because it contains wheat and may cause allergic reactions, WATCH also noted that “It is difficult to envision the play value of a ‘toy’ inviting children to ‘make your own poo!’ so that it ‘looks like the real thing!’”
- Splat X Smack Shot made this list because of its potential to cause serious eye injuries. The toy mimics a slingshot. The labeling information states that the “ammunition” may be fired up to 100 feet.
- Kick Flipper is a plastic toy similar to a skateboard, but without wheels. For children ages five and up, this toy encourages children to try dangerous stunts. WATCH notes that the children on the label are not depicted wearing helmets or any other safety gear.
- Leonardo’s Electronic Stealth Sword is intended for children ages four and up. Children are encouraged to participate in a “ninja battle” with the rigid plastic sword, which may cause facial injuries.
- Kid Connection Doctor Play Set is for children ages two and older. It includes a tongue depressor, which can block the airway.
- Pull Along Zebra was manufactured for children ages 12 through 36 months. This toy may pose a risk of strangulation and entanglement injuries.
- Jurassic World Velociraptor Claws for children ages four and older makes the list for the potential to cause eye and facial injuries.
About product liability claims
Although researching toys before purchasing them for children is certainly ideal, it isn’t always possible for parents and caregivers to protect children from harm. Many dangerous toys appear to be perfectly safe at first. When children do suffer injuries because of unsafe toys, the manufacturer or designer of the toys may be held liable for these injuries because of design defects, manufacturing defects, or inadequate safety warnings. Dangerous toy lawsuits fall under the category of product liability torts.
Product liability lawsuits may be filed on the basis of negligence. In other words, the defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff, breached that duty, and caused the injury. Product liability lawyers may demonstrate that the child would not have sustained injury if not for the negligence of the manufacturer and that the defendant could have reasonably foreseen the risks involved with the toy.
If your child has sustained injuries because of an unsafe toy, you can contact a NY personal injury lawyer at The Sanders Firm to discuss legal recourse. During the past five years alone, our firm has secured more than $100 million for our clients. Call 888.660.3714 today to schedule your free, no-obligation case review. Resources
- WATCH, 2015 “10 Worst Toys” https://toysafety.org/portfolio_category/2015-10-worst-toys/
- CBS News, 10 most dangerous toys of 2015, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/10-most-dangerous-toys-of-2015/
