As you make your holiday shopping list and check it twice, our Kansas City injury lawyers remind you to align it with current safety reports. Last year, toys caused more than 254,200 child injuries and 11 deaths. There have been more than 800,000 toy recalls since 2015. If you’re shopping for little ones this year, make sure the toys you purchase aren’t on the W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) list of most dangerous toys of 2016.
Peppa Pig Figurines
The four-pack of Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddles Family by Jazwares, LLC, poses a potential for choking injuries. There are small parts in the figurines that are not safe for oral-age children. Many of the packages have “2+” on the label, with no warnings relating to choking hazards. While some of these toys have the correct warning label on the packaging, others of the same toy do not.
Peppy Pups
Sold at Toys ‘R’ Us, the Peppy Pups toy from TPF Toys, Ltd. poses a strangulation injury risk. The manufacturers recommend this toy for ages 2+, with no strangulation warnings on the packaging. It has a 31-inch cord, despite industry standards that require cords on crib and playpen toys to be no more than 12 inches.
Slimeball Slinger
The Slimeball Slinger from manufacturer Diggin Active, Inc., has a risk of eye injuries due to the slingshot nature of the toy. It’s possible for children to launch the slimeballs with enough force to cause serious eye injuries. There are warnings on the package to never shoot the slimeballs at people or animals. Age recommendation in 6+.
Flying Heroes Superman Launcher
Kids 4+ can launch a plastic Superman figurine into the air with this toy from I-Star Entertainment, LLC, and the Bridge Direct, Inc. The packaging has a warning to never aim at the eyes or face, along with safety instructions, but W.A.T.C.H. has detected the potential for eye and face injuries from this winged superhero toy. A number of retailers have this toy in stock.
Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby
Recommended for children 2+, this “Feed and Play” baby doll from New Adventures, LLC, LTD, comes with a small spoon that poses a chocking and ingestion hazard. Oral-age children may swallow the slender, 2.75-inch-long spoon and block their airways or ingest the spoon entirely. There are no choking hazard warnings on the packaging.
Banzai Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers
ToyQuest advertises this toy as a way to “bump n’ bounce” safely with an inflatable slip-on bumper suit. W.A.T.C.H. has found that there is a risk for impact injuries. The packaging encourages children ages four to 12 to use the toy with other protective equipment for the head, knees, etc., but does not include this equipment.
Warcraft Doomhammer
The Warcraft Doomhammer by Jakks Pacific, Inc., has no warnings for impact injuries from using the toy, but W.A.T.C.H. is reporting the potential for blunt impact injuries. The package recommends for ages 6+. Found at Toys ‘R’ Us and Amazon.com.
Kids Time Baby Children’s Elephant Pillow
Purchasable from Amazon.com, this baby elephant pillow from Kids Time US and Appease Toys poses a suffocation hazard. Made for children three and younger, this large, plush pillow has no risk warnings on the package for suffocation injuries.
The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch
This plastic dino from the film The Good Dinosaur poses a puncture wound threat to children. While the toy from Tomy has a choking and small parts warning, it says nothing about the toy’s potential to puncture children with the rigid, pointed tail. The package age recommendation is 3+.
Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster
This Nerf blaster from Hasbro has the potential for eye injuries due to its high-force projectiles. Although the box has photos of children wearing protective face masks while playing, the toy does not come with this gear and there are no warnings regarding eye injuries. The manufacturer recommends the blaster for children 14+.