There are many factors to consider when purchasing a toy for a young loved one this holiday season. Does it match the child’s interests? Is it affordable? Is it safe? Toy safety concerns are a hard reality, especially around the holidays.
Toy safety is a very important factor, but unless it’s a Red Flyer BB Gun it may not seem like an obvious concern. There’s no reason for the average consumer to suspect that if a product is available for sale that it will be unsafe.
World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) creates a list of the Top 10 Worst Toys every year to help consumers identify toys on the market that may appear safe but could actually cause harm. The 2017 list includes a Hallmark plush baby stacking toy, a Wonder Woman-themed sword, a Nerf crossbow, and Fidgetz Spinners, among others.
The reasons these toys were selected range from the potential for choking hazards, strangulation, entanglement injuries, blunt force injuries and more. If you are doing holiday shopping for young ones this year, consider possibly avoiding these toys.
If you are concerned the toy you are considering purchasing this season is also unsafe, you can read the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) tips for safe gifts on their website. Their top tips for holiday gift buying include, among other suggestions:
- Checking the label for age appropriateness
- Buying safety gear to accompany the toy as needed
- Ensuring hoverboards, if desired, are compliant with safety standards
- Being careful of toys that include magnets, particularly for small children
Before you start adding items to your online carts or perusing the store aisles, make sure the young person you love has a toy this season that not only brings them joy but keeps them safe. If you have experienced toy safety concerns or safety issues with children’s products, please contact us at Garmey Law today.
