The Lamber Goodnow Team Wants You and Your Family To Have a Safe Holiday Season – But If You Bought One Of These Toys and They Are Sitting Under The Tree, You May Want to Have Santa Take Them Back, Now!
Okay, the pressure is on with Christmas just days away, and you may be tempted to buy just “any” gift for your kids or family and friends – but last-minute holiday shoppers beware: the following “10 worst toys of 2016” are dangerous for a reason! In fact, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year there were some 250,000 toy-related injuries in the United States.
Boston-based nonprofit World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. reports that one child is treated in a U.S. emergency room every three minutes for a toy-related injury. In 2014, there were over 251,000 toy-related injuries, and 61 children died in toy-related incidents between 2010 and 2014.
While consumers should expect that toys are safe for all ages, the reality is often far from the case. So, without the sound of a toy drum-roll, here are 2016’s most dangerous toys:
1) Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddles Family
Choking hazard for kids under 3 – but NO WARNING on some packaging!
2) Kids Time Baby Children’s Elephant Pillow
Potential for suffocation with infants – watch out!
3) Slimeball Slinger
Yes indeed – firing “slimeballs” over 30 feet – you really could shoot somebody’s eye out with this one!
4) Banzai Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers
Great fun, except head, elbows, knees and hand protection is NOT included!
5) Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster
Face Mask is NOT included – and again, this is another one good for “putting out someone’s eye!”
6) The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch
The toy’s rigid, pointed tail may cause injuries to young child’s torso or face.
7) Peppy Pups
Industry standards say that strings on playpen and crib toys be less than 12 inches in length – this one has a cord measuring approximately 31 inches!
8) Flying Heroes Superman Launcher
Instructions say “grip it and rip it” – just not at someone’s face!
9) Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby
“Interactive Spoon” for toy could actually block your child’s airway if swallowed!
10) Warcraft Doomhammer
Potential for blunt impact injuries, especially if the heavy, rigid plastic battle hammer is swung by your 6-year-old boy!
Again, be safe and have fun this holiday, but beware of three main issues when buying toys:
a) Inconsistent warnings and age recommendations – whether you bought the toy online or in a retail store, know your child’s true developmental age before putting the toy in their hands.
b) Unsafe toy designs and manufacturing practices – recalls are reactive, not proactive. Dangerous toys should not reach your child’s hands, but again, it’s up to you to inspect the toy, and make sure that it’s appropriate for your child’s age.
c) Lack of awareness of unsafe toys on the market – Small parts, strings, projectiles, toxic substances and rigid materials should always raise red-flags with parents.