W.A.T.C.H., a group advocating child safety and correcting abuses in the manufacturing and marketing of dangerous toys (World Against Toys Causing Harm), released their annual list this past Sunday of toys that may potentially cause injury to children. The experts at W.A.T.C.H. have compiled their research on the newest and most popular toy releases from 2015 and have detailed the likelihood of injury to a child.
TOP 10 TOYS FOR POTENTIAL INJURY
1. Skipit’s Wheely Cute Pull Along
The potential injury coming from this plush pull-along toy comes from its hub caps that fall off the wheel and become choking hazards. After a recall, similar toys were available online with the same risk for injury.
2. Foam Dart Gun
The danger of this detailed toy is obvious: it can clearly be mistaken for a real weapon—a mistake that has resulted in many deaths throughout the years.
3. Stats Mini-Trampoline
While all trampolines come with a high injury risk, this one for age 6+ shows a child bouncing alone and such equipment shouldn’t be sold as a playtime activity for kids.
4. Poo-Dough
There are evident medical injury risks in this product of edible “poo” whose allergy notice is disposable and contains wheat.
5. Smack Shot
This slingshot is sold with ammunition marketed as firing “up to 100 feet!” The many warnings provide caution for injury for anyone in close proximity to the target.
6. Kick Flipper
This plastic board encourages kids to learn skateboard tricks but makes no mention of safety gear while also providing images of children not wearing protective helmets and pads.
7. Ninja Battle Sword
This rigid sword from the popular Ninja Turtles franchise tells kids to battle, engaging in an activity that risks injury to the face.
8. Doctor Play Set
This toy set is sold to oral-aged children but contains many small pieces that could easily lead to deadly choking.
9. Pull Along Zebra
While the industry standard for pull along toys’ strings is 12 inches or less, this toy features a 21 inch long string for babies as young as 12 months.
10. Jurassic World Velociraptor Claws
From the massively popular Jurassic World franchise, these oversized claws for kids 4+ has no warnings for risk of injury to the eye and facial areas.
Most toys marketed towards children undergo rigorous quality checks to keep kids safe; but the possibility does exist that a careless group lets a dangerous product slip through. Educate yourself with W.A.T.C.H.’s and similar advocates lists and prevent your children’s injury this holiday season.
