Kids love getting toys for Christmas. Unfortunately, there are too many toys on the shelves that have the potential to cause serious injury to a child. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission, emergency rooms treated over 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2017.
When you get ready to start your Christmas shopping, check your child’s wish list to make sure all their choices are safe and appropriate for their age, physical capabilities and level of mental and social development. If you’re unsure, go online and do a little research. This will help you avoid purchasing toys that are poorly manufactured or designed, as well as those with inconsistent and inadequate warnings, cautions and age recommendations.
Beware of toys that:
- Contain lead or other toxic materials
- Are made out of flammable materials
- Have sharp edges or points
- Have small, removable parts which could be swallowed and become lodged in the throat
- Make loud noises that could damage a child’s hearing
- Have cords and strings longer than 6″ that could get wrapped around the neck
- Have projectiles and other propelled objects that can result in eye injuries
- Use batteries that may leak, overheat and explode
ASTM Standards for Safety
All toys intended for use by children 12 years of age and under that were manufactured or imported on or after February 28, 2018, must be tested by a third party and be certified to ASTM F963-17 as compliant to the federal toy safety standard enacted by Congress, and to other applicable requirements as well. ASTM F963-17, “The Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety,” is a comprehensive standard addressing numerous hazards that have been associated with toys. However, despite these rules and regulations, there are still a lot of potentially dangerous kids’ products on store shelves.
The WATCH List: What Not to Get
World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that releases an annual list of the top 10 most unsafe toys of the year. Here are the top 10 toys you don’t want under the Christmas tree and why:
- Nerf Ultra One (potential for eye injuries)
- Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog (potential for ingestion and choking injuries)
- Bunchems Bunch’n Build (potential for hair entanglement and choking)
- Yeti (potential for ingestion/aspiration injuries)
- Nickelodeon Frozen Treats Slime (potential for chemical ingestion and irritation injuries)
- Anstoy Electronic Toy Gun (realistic toy weaponry)
- Diecast School Bus (potential for choking injuries)
- Pogo Trick Board (potential for head and impact injuries)
- Power Rangers Electronic Cheetah Claw (potential for eye and facial injuries)
- Viga Pull Along Caterpillar (potential for strangulation and entanglement injuries)
Speak With a Winter Haven Product Liability Attorney
Playing with unsafe, inappropriate, defective or recalled toys can have serious, even deadly, consequences. If your child has been injured by a toy and you suspect their injury or death was caused by the negligence on the part of a manufacturer, retailer or other party, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages your child has suffered by filing a product liability lawsuit.
Tania Rivas and the Rivas Law Group represent parents and families of children who have been injured by a toy that is dangerous or defective. We possess the resources and skills to thoroughly investigate how the toy was designed, manufactured, marketed and distributed to determine if negligence was responsible for your child’s injuries.
Our injury lawyers in Lakeland, FL, have the experience to handle even the most complex unsafe toy litigation. Don’t put off seeking legal assistance; statute of limitations laws apply to personal injury cases. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
