Consumer watchdog World Against Toys Causing Harm has released its report for the most dangerous toys of 2015, and holiday shoppers should take note. WATCH estimates that 46% of people will buy their holiday gifts (including toys) online and must be vigilant about how safe—or unsafe—they are. Among those on the blacklist: Dinosaur claws inspired by the movie “Jurassic World,” a quick-folding trampoline and a foam dart gun.
The Massachusetts-based non-profit says the toys singled out as the 10 most dangerous for Christmas this year represent common problems and aren’t the only potentially dangerous products on the market.
A majority of the toys on this year’s list can be found at major retailers such as Toys R Us, Wal-Mart and Kmart. They also can be bought from online sites such as Amazon.com and eBay.com.
WATCH’s list of the 10 worst toys for 2015 include:
- “Bud” Skipit’s Wheely Cute Pull Along. Potential for choking injuries; made by Bunnies By The Bay; $29.99
- Foam dart gun. Realistic toy weapon; made by GD.Jiefeng Toys; $13.99.
- Stats’ 38″ quick-folding trampoline. Potential for head, neck and other injuries; by Toys R Us, Inc.; $49.99.
- Poo-Dough. Potential for allergy-related injuries (warning label says it contains wheat); by Skyrocket Toys; $4.99.
- Splat X Smack Shot. Potential for eye injuries; by Imperial Toy; $10.
- Kick Flipper. Potential for head and other bodily injuries; by Playsmart; $19.99.
- Leonardo’s Electronic Stealth Sword. Potential for blunt force injuries; by Playmates International Company; $24.99.
- Kid Connection doctor play set. Potential for ingestion and choking injuries; by Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; $4.97.
- Pull Along Zebra: Potential for strangulation and entanglement injuries; by Early Learning Centre; $20.99.
- Jurassic World velociraptor claws. Potential for eye and facial injuries; by Hasbro; $19.99.
(Info. provided by WATCH)According to WATCH, buyers should avoid these common safety traps:
- Limited product information online: Consumers buying toys on the Internet are already at a disadvantage as they are unable to touch and physically inspect a toy and its packaging at the time of sale for more obvious hazards. As a result, once the toy is obtained, parents should thoroughly inspect the toy and it’s packaging prior to putting it into the hands of a child. Caregivers should not be lulled into a false sense of security that a toy is safe because of a familiar brand name on a package.
- Inconsistent Warnings and Age Recommendations: Some toys available for purchase online may have retailer warnings and age recommendations that are inconsistent with those supplied by manufacturers. In some cases, the warnings may be omitted from the Internet description completely. Such omissions and inconsistencies regarding important safety information can lead to misinformed, and potentially dangerous, consumer purchases.
- Recycled Toys- Internet Buyers Beware: As toy themes popular in the 70’s and 80’s are reappearing, such as “Star Wars” and “Jurassic park” inspired figurines, toys manufactured in past decades are in greater demand today. The Internet, an ever-growing frontier of “second-hand” toy buying opportunities, is largely devoid of regulations, safety protocols, and checks and balances. Consumer-to-consumer sales on e-commerce sites such as Craig’s list and eBay are often inconsistently monitored, if monitored at all. Parents need to inspect these toy purchases for dangerous hazards and stay away from any toys that may have been recalled, caused injuries, or are defective.
Under Massachusetts product liability laws, products manufacturers have a responsibility of creating and distributing safe products that do not pose a threat to consumers. They are also responsible for providing a warning of toys’ dangers if any exist. Product liability laws cover three kinds of product defects: flawed product design, when a toy is improperly designed; manufacturing process error, when the toy is manufactured differently than it was designed; and marketing defect, when a toy does not have the proper instructions or warnings for its safe operation. Even when none of these defects apply, products liability law holds manufactures and sellers liable if a product is dangerous or defective enough to cause injury or death.
If your child is injured by a defective toy or game, you should seek immediate medical attention. If possible, keep the defective toy as evidence. Your next step should be to contact an experienced product liability lawyer at Altman & Altman as you are owed compensation from the parties responsible for the injury. Call or email one of our esteemed attorneys today to schedule a free initial consultation. We are available around the clock to assist you with your case.
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