This holiday season, avoid gifting a child a hazardous toy by knowing which ones to avoid. With this in mind, here are W.A.T.C.H.’s “10 worst toys of 2018.”
Toy name: Nickelodeon Nella Princess Knight Pillow Pets Sleeptime Lites | Manufacturer or distributor: CJ Products Inc. | Retailer(s): Target, Target.com, Express.Google.com | Age recommendation: “0+” | Warnings: “Adult Note: Product is not intended for use in crib. Do not leave infant unattended with product”; “Warning: Battery acid leakage can cause personal injury…”; and other cautions/warnings (package) | Hazard: Potential for ingestion and battery-related injuries | Though marketed for infants as a nightlight for baby’s room, this product is “not intended” for use in a crib. There is also a felt-like flower and heart-tag accessories that present potential ingestion hazards. Additionally, the manufacturer identifies a “battery acid leakage” hazard. (Photo: W.A.T.C.H.)
Toy name: Nerf Vortex VTX Praxis Blaster | Manufacturer or distributor: Hasbro; Nerf.com | Retailer(s): Target, Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Ebay.com, Bonanza.com | Age recommendation: “Age 8+” | Warnings: “CAUTION: Do not aim at eyes or face”; “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD…” | Hazard: Potential for eye injuries | The launch-force of the discs presents the potential for eye and facial injuries. (Photo: W.A.T.C.H.)
Toy name: Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw | Manufacturer or distributor: Hasbro | Retailer(s): Target, Target.com, Kohls, Kohls.com, Walmart, Walmart.com, Amazon.com, HasbroToyShop.com | Age recommendation: “Age 5+” | Warnings: “CAUTION: Do not hit or swing at people or animals. Use away from breakable objects”; “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD…” | Hazard: Potential for eye and facial injuries | These rigid, plastic claws are sold to five-year-olds to “slash” like the popular comic book and movie character Black Panther while simultaneously advising not to “hit or swing at people or animals.” (Photo: W.A.T.C.H.)
Toy name: Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Superstar Blade | Manufacturer or distributor: Bandai America Incorporated | Retailer(s): Target, Target.com, Ebay.com, Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Bonanza.com, Express.Google.com | Age recommendation: “4+” | Warnings: “CAUTION: Spring-loaded. Do not aim at eyes or face”; “Do not 1) aim toy at anyone, 2) hit anyone with toy, 3) poke anyone with toy, 4) swing at anyone…” and other cautions on package insert | Hazard: Potential for blunt force and eye injuries | Young children are encouraged to “power up” with this spring-loaded plastic blade which has the potential to cause facial and other impact injuries
Toy name: Cabbage Patch Kids Dance Time Doll | Manufacturer or distributor: Wicked Cool Toys LLC | Retailer(s): Target, Target.com, CabbagePatchKids.com, Bonanza.com, Blinq.com | Age recommendation: “2+” | Warnings: None | Hazard: Potential for choking injuries | Though the dolls are marketed for oral-age children, they are sold with a “removable” headband which can be ingested.
Toy name: Zoo Jamz Xylophone | Manufacturer or distributor: Vtech Electronics North America LLC | Retailer(s): Walmart, Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Vtechkids.com, Target.com, Buybuybaby.com, Bedbathandbeyond.com, Zulily.com | Age recommendation: “1.5-4 years” | Warnings: None | Hazard: Potential for ingestion and choking injuries | The manufacturers provides no warnings regarding the 9-inch-long drumstick handle which can potentially be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway
Toy name: Nici Wonderland Doll: Miniclara the Ballerina | Manufacturer or distributor: NICI | Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Neat-oh.com, Walmart.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Henry Bear’s Park | Age recommendation: “2+” | Warnings: None | Hazard: Potential for choking injuries | This doll comes with a “little kitten” as an accessory. The kitten can detach, however, posing the potential for choking if ingested
Toy name: Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket | Manufacturer or distributor: D & L Company | Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, Stomprocket.com, Magic Beans | Age recommendation: “Ages 6 and up” | Warnings: “WARNING: To prevent serious eye or face injuries:…Do not aim at your eyes or face…Clear launch site…before stomping…”, and other warnings/cautions on package, package insert, and launch stand | Hazard: Potential for eye, face and other impact injuries | Many warnings appear on the package and package inset in an effort to “prevent serious eye or face injuries…”
Toy name: Cutting Fruit | Manufacturer or distributor: Kid O Toys | Retailer(s): Walmart.com, Ebay.com, Magic Beans, Mbeans.com, Liltulips.com, niniandlolli.com, Buyforbabies.com, Giftuniversal.com | Age recommendation: “2+” | Warnings: “Caution! Remove the packaging material before giving the toy to your child” | Hazard: Potential for puncture and blunt force injuries | The magnetic apple, pear and orange are sold with a “slicing knife” made of hard plastic. The knife can potentially cause puncture wounds and other blunt trauma injuries
Toy name: Chien Á Promener Pull Along Dog | Manufacturer or distributor: Janod; Juratoys | Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Magic Beans, Mbeans.com | Age recommendation: “12-36 months” | Warnings: None | Hazard: Potential for entanglement and strangulation injuries | Despite the industry’s standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are still permitted to market “pull toys” such as “Pull Along Dog” with a cord measuring approximately 19 inches. No warnings are provided
A central component for many are the gifts. Whether receiving or giving, gifts are how many individuals express their appreciation for friends and family. But for young children, certain gifts come boxed with risks galore.
World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) has revealed its nominees for the “10 worst toys of 2018.” Classic toy dangers, such as small parts, strings, projectiles, toxic substances, rigid materials and inaccurate warnings and labels, continue to put children at risk. Deloitte’s annual holiday economic forecast projects retail sales will increase 5.0-5.6% this holiday season, with online sales likely to rise 17-22% — meaning children are more likely to be exposed this gift-giving season as buyers will not have an opportunity to touch and physically inspect for obvious hazards at the time of purchase.
