Be Aware of Defective Children’s Toys and the Safety of Your Kids
Hundreds of thousands of children are hurt every year due to toy-related injuries. Many of these products are defective in design, manufacturing, and or fail to warn consumers about potential hazards. This prevalent issue is a serious threat to the safety of our little ones.
Someone should be held accountable when a child is hurt by a defective toy, recreational equipment, or other product that is targeted towards children. There may be several parties to blame when it comes to defective product liability. Compensation may be due for medical bills and emotional damages to the child.
The following information was developed to provide caregivers with information about defective toys, resources to prevent child toy-related injuries, and reveal what to do if your little one is injured.
Common Dangerous Defective Children’s Toys
Defective toys create numerous potentials for life-threatening injuries, including threats of choking, suffocation, and drowning.
Other common injuries include:
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Broken Bones
- Chemical Exposure
- Contusions
- Falls
A product is considered defective when it harms a child when used as intended or does not warn parents about potential dangers.
Riding Toys Injuries
Riding toys are also notorious for being the leading cause of injuries for children under the age of 14.
Toxic Chemical Product Defects
Numerous reports of toys that expose children to toxic chemicals are reported annually. These products often emitted poisonous chemicals, including lead and phthalates.
Lead exposure can cause numerous health problems, especially in young children. This chemical affects brain and nervous system development, resulting in behavior and intellectual issues.
Phthalates affect the body’s hormonal system and can lead to developmental and reproductive health problems, including cancers.
Burn Hazard Toy Defects
Children are at risk of burn injuries when a toy is poorly designed or manufactured. Oftentimes, these injuries are caused by toys that contain poorly constructed electric components. These poorly made toys may contain batteries that overheat and create a potential for burns.
Children’s Toys Choking Hazards
Toys with obvious small parts usually come with a warning label that notifies caregivers that the product is not safe for young children. However, there have been numerous toys recalled for choking hazards that caregivers were not warned existed.
These toys often come apart or contain small parts that unintentionally detach. Other choking hazards include toys with strings, stuffing, dangerous packaging, or other items that are easily removed by children.
World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc
The World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting children from defective and potentially dangerous products. W.A.T.C.H. is committed to continuously updating the public about potentially dangerous toys, recreational activities, and other items.
Toys That Have Made the List of Most Dangerous in the Past Include:
- Hallmark “Itty Bitty’s” Baby Stacking Toy can lead to choking due to small parts
- Pull Along Pony, which creates a strangulation hazard due to the looped pull-string
- Wonder Woman Battle-Action Sword, which can cause blunt force injuries as well as injuries to eyes
- Hand Fidgetz Spinners. This popular toy has already led to several choking injuries since its invention.
- Spider-Man Spider-Drone Official Movie Edition. This drone’s spinning blades can lead to eye injuries and children can suffer body impact injuries if struck by the drone
- Nerf Zombie Strike Dreadbolt Crossbow. Children can suffer eye injuries if shot with this toy’s high-speed bolts.
- Slackers Slackline Classic Series Kit. Children can strangle themselves on the slackline and can also easily fall off, potentially breaking bones.
- Oval Xylophone. This children’s toy can lead to ingestion, causing choking injuries.
- Jetts Heels Wheels. Children can suffer blunt impact injuries in addition to burn injuries from the sparks that come off the wheels.
- Brianna Babydoll by Melissa & Doug. The toy comes with a plastic pacifier that can present a choking hazard.
The organization’s goal is to warn parents and caregivers about these dangerous products, providing them with the information to make informed consumer decisions that protect children.
W.A.T.C.H. is also committed to correcting prevalent issues in the manufacturing and marketing of products targeted towards children.
Tips To Keep Children Safe from Defective Products
There are several ways that parents and caregivers can prevent toy-related injuries.
Prevention Tips Include:
- Buy age-appropriate toys. Be sure your child is not only old enough according to the packaging, but also mature enough to use the product as intended.
- Toys that are broken and/or damaged may expose children to harmful chemicals. Throw away any toys that you believe may be potentially dangerous.
- Many older toys and vintage collectibles contain lead. Keep these out of reach of children.
- Check toy recalls on a regular basis.
Parents and caregivers can visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission online to view recent toy recalls.
Who are the Responsible Parties for Product Defect Injuries?
There may be several parties who are responsible when a child is hurt from a defective product. This may include the product designer, manufacturer, distributor, and/or retailer. Caregivers will need to speak with a product injury lawyer to determine which parties are responsible for the injuries caused by defective children’s toys.
Contact Product Defect Injury Lawyers
Contact James McKiernan Personal Injury Law if your child has been injured because of defective children’s toys. Our team of prestigious personal injury lawyers have helped hundreds of clients receive the compensation that they deserve.
