Each year, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s Education Fund releases a list of the most dangerous toys for children during the holiday season. According to the safety advocacy group’s annual report titled “Trouble in Toyland,” among this year’s most dangerous playthings are data-collecting dolls and fidget spinners that have unsafe levels of lead.
Toys that Made the ‘Dangerous’ List
One of the toys that have been deemed dangerous is not injury-causing, but violates individuals’ privacy. The doll, “My Friend Cayla” that is sold in stores like Wal-Mart and Kohl’s has been banned in Germany and is the subject of a complaint by several consumer groups because it might violate children’s privacy. In July, the FBI issued a warning to consumers to consider cybersecurity before introducing any types of toys that are interactive or connected to the Internet.
In addition to these toys, the report found that two types of fidget spinners sold at Target and distributed by Bulls i Toy LLC were found to have dangerously high levels of lead. The Wild Premium Spinner Brass had 33,000 parts per million of lead, which is more than 300 times the legal limit for lead in children’s products. The Fidget Wild Premium Spinner Metal had 1,300 ppm of lead.
Target has said it will remove the fidget spinners from store shelves. Health experts have found that lead harms the developing brain and is easily ingested through normal hand-to-mouth behaviors. Despite a ban on small parts in toys for children under age 3, the report highlighted several toys that contain small parts, but have no warning label. These include a peg game, golf, and football travel games sold by Dollar Tree.
In addition, balloons can get stuck in children’s throats causing more choking deaths among children than any other toy or children’s product. Researchers found five balloon sets on store shelves that were either sold to children under 8 or have misleading warning labels that make it appear they are safe for children between ages 3 and 8. Numerous hoverboards that continue to be recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for lithium batteries that can explode or ignite are also on this list of dangerous toys.
Product Liability Issues
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a dangerous or defective product, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced product liability lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options. Our product defect lawyers advise everyone who is shopping for gifts and toys this holiday season to check CPSC’s website for recalled products.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20181120/what-are-this-years-most-dangerous-toys#1
