At the beginning of the month, World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (WATCH) released its annual “10 Worst Toys” list for the 2018 holiday season. For more than four decades, the non-profit organization has warned holiday shoppers every year about dangerous child products available in stores and online. Common toy hazards include rigid plastic and metal materials, projectiles, strings, small parts, toxic chemicals, and improper warnings on packages.
The following are the ten worst toys for this holiday season, according to WATCH:
- Nella Princess Knight Pillow of Nickelodeon’s Pillow Pets Sleeptime Lites – While the product is marketed to be used as a nightlight in an infant’s room, the package warns not to use it in the crib. Small accessories in the shape of a heart and flower can pose as choking hazards if removed. In addition, this toy comes with a warning for battery acid leakage.
- Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw – Marketed to kids who are five years old and above to slash like the comic book and movie hero, these hard plastic claws can cause eye and facial injuries if a child hits or swings at someone else.
- Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Superstar Blade – This toy sword consists of a plastic blade which is spring loaded. Despite warnings not to hit or swing at anyone with the toy, it has the potential to cause eye injuries and blunt force trauma.
- Nerf Vortex VTX Praxis Blaster – This toy gun allows kids who are as young as eight years old to load and fire ten discs consecutively. However, these projectiles can cause eye injuries if fired at a person’s face.
- Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket – This device gives children ages six and up the ability to launch a rocket up to 200 feet in the air. There are several warnings on the package to prevent face, eye, and other impact injuries.
- Cutting Fruit – The hard plastic knife that is meant to “slice” magnetic fruits in half can be used to cause blunt force trauma and/or puncture wounds.
- Zoo Jamz Xylophone – Recommended for infants as young as one and a half years of age, there are no warnings addressing how the drumstick handle on the toy can be a choking hazard.
- Chien Á Promener Pull Along Dog – A 19-inch cord is attached to this pull toy, which can potentially result in strangulation and entanglement injuries, even though the toy industry set a string limit of 12 inches.
- Cabbage Patch Kids Dance Time Doll – Marketed to infants who are at least two years old, the headband on the doll can be removed and become a choking hazard.
- NICI Wonderland Doll: Miniclara The Ballerina – This doll for toddlers two years old and above comes with a detachable small kitten that can be ingested and result in choking.
If your child has suffered an injury caused by a defective or dangerous toy in Brooklyn, contact our experienced legal team at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. today.