Every Christmas, a number of consumer groups and childrens safety
standards departments announce their watch lists for most dangerous ("or
just plain overpriced junk") childrens toys.
This week alone has seen the recall of children's toys such as riding toys made by Step2 Co.
For Christmas 2012, WATCH (which aptly means "World Against Toys Causing Harm") has put together their own Top 10 Worst Toys for Christmas 2012 List.
According to WATCH, online toy purchases can be tricky because, "Internet toy shoppers are often provided with less product safety information than consumers who go to brick-and-mortar stores. Many toys sold online have warnings and age recommendations from retailers that are inconsistent with those supplied by toy manufacturers."
Their picks for Top 10 Worst Toys List 2012 for Christmas Shoppers are:
1. The Magnetic Fishing Game. Sold by online retailers, the game includes a plastic fishing pole, twine, a magnet lure and plastic fish embedded with chunks of metal. In addition to being a choking hazard, the game mistakenly teaches young children that a magnet on a string is the best way to catch fish when in reality dynamite does a much better job. A possible choking hazard for "oral-age children," the group said.
2. Bongo Ball. Children as young as 3 years old are encouraged to climb inside this colorful inflatable ball, in order to Bounce, Spin, Roll, Tumble! Distributed by Toys R Us, Bongo Ball is evaluated to be a choking hazard. "This is not a lifesaving device. Do not leave child unattended while device is in use."
3. Spinner Shark 4-wheel Kneeboard. "Its low profile makes the toy potentially hazardous for outdoor use, an issue purportedly addressed with a separate, detachable 'safety flag'." Additional warnings on the package insert include: Kneeboard riding can be a hazardous activity. Kneeboards can and are intended to move, and it is therefore possible to get into dangerous situations and/or lose control and/or fall off. If such things occur, serious injury may result."
4. N-Force Vendetta Double Sword. Young children are encouraged to combine two swords into one Megablade in order to arm yourself for the ultimate battle experience. "CAUTION: Do not poke or swing at people or animals. Use away from breakable objects. TO AVOID INJURY: Discontinue use if core is exposed."
5. Water Balloon Launcher. This water balloon launcher is marketed with the capability to shoot water balloons at high speeds of up to 75 mph. Ouch!
6. Power Rangers Super Samurai Shogun Helmet. The manufacturer encourages children to become a Power Ranger by donning battle gear, including this shogun helmet. The headgear includes an attachable crown with pointed, rigid plastic tips as long as approximately 9 inches, with the potential for penetrating impact and puncture wound injuries.
7. Playful Xylophone. This toy xylophone includes colorful blocks of different sizes, which can be arranged and rearranged, allowing oral-age children to create their own melodies! Babies as young as twelve months old are encouraged to use a supplied slender, wooden dowel as a drumstick to play music on the xylophone.
8. The Dart Zone Quick Fire 12 Dart Gun. Despite the manufacturer's instructions that it is not suitable for children under 6, it was marketed online as appropriate for children much younger, WATCH concluded. The dart gun has a potential to cause eye injuries. Makes Jeff Foxworthy's boyhood lawn darts look downright wimpy.
9. The Explore & Learn Helicopter. With a roughly 24-inch cord, it has the potential for strangulation and entanglement injuries, WATCH explained.
10. The Avengers Gamma Green Smash Fists. These supersized fists, resembling those of the popular Marvel comic book and movie character, are sold to enable three year olds to be incredible -- like The Hulk by smashing everything that gets in their way! No warnings or cautions are given.
And no, Jeff, no wordburning kits this year.
This week alone has seen the recall of children's toys such as riding toys made by Step2 Co.
For Christmas 2012, WATCH (which aptly means "World Against Toys Causing Harm") has put together their own Top 10 Worst Toys for Christmas 2012 List.
According to WATCH, online toy purchases can be tricky because, "Internet toy shoppers are often provided with less product safety information than consumers who go to brick-and-mortar stores. Many toys sold online have warnings and age recommendations from retailers that are inconsistent with those supplied by toy manufacturers."
Their picks for Top 10 Worst Toys List 2012 for Christmas Shoppers are:
1. The Magnetic Fishing Game. Sold by online retailers, the game includes a plastic fishing pole, twine, a magnet lure and plastic fish embedded with chunks of metal. In addition to being a choking hazard, the game mistakenly teaches young children that a magnet on a string is the best way to catch fish when in reality dynamite does a much better job. A possible choking hazard for "oral-age children," the group said.
2. Bongo Ball. Children as young as 3 years old are encouraged to climb inside this colorful inflatable ball, in order to Bounce, Spin, Roll, Tumble! Distributed by Toys R Us, Bongo Ball is evaluated to be a choking hazard. "This is not a lifesaving device. Do not leave child unattended while device is in use."
3. Spinner Shark 4-wheel Kneeboard. "Its low profile makes the toy potentially hazardous for outdoor use, an issue purportedly addressed with a separate, detachable 'safety flag'." Additional warnings on the package insert include: Kneeboard riding can be a hazardous activity. Kneeboards can and are intended to move, and it is therefore possible to get into dangerous situations and/or lose control and/or fall off. If such things occur, serious injury may result."
4. N-Force Vendetta Double Sword. Young children are encouraged to combine two swords into one Megablade in order to arm yourself for the ultimate battle experience. "CAUTION: Do not poke or swing at people or animals. Use away from breakable objects. TO AVOID INJURY: Discontinue use if core is exposed."
5. Water Balloon Launcher. This water balloon launcher is marketed with the capability to shoot water balloons at high speeds of up to 75 mph. Ouch!
6. Power Rangers Super Samurai Shogun Helmet. The manufacturer encourages children to become a Power Ranger by donning battle gear, including this shogun helmet. The headgear includes an attachable crown with pointed, rigid plastic tips as long as approximately 9 inches, with the potential for penetrating impact and puncture wound injuries.
7. Playful Xylophone. This toy xylophone includes colorful blocks of different sizes, which can be arranged and rearranged, allowing oral-age children to create their own melodies! Babies as young as twelve months old are encouraged to use a supplied slender, wooden dowel as a drumstick to play music on the xylophone.
8. The Dart Zone Quick Fire 12 Dart Gun. Despite the manufacturer's instructions that it is not suitable for children under 6, it was marketed online as appropriate for children much younger, WATCH concluded. The dart gun has a potential to cause eye injuries. Makes Jeff Foxworthy's boyhood lawn darts look downright wimpy.
9. The Explore & Learn Helicopter. With a roughly 24-inch cord, it has the potential for strangulation and entanglement injuries, WATCH explained.
10. The Avengers Gamma Green Smash Fists. These supersized fists, resembling those of the popular Marvel comic book and movie character, are sold to enable three year olds to be incredible -- like The Hulk by smashing everything that gets in their way! No warnings or cautions are given.
And no, Jeff, no wordburning kits this year.
