The holidays are a time of giving and sharing, and all children look forward to unwrapping their gifts. But please be cautious this holiday shopping season. All parents and gift-givers need to remember that not all toys make appropriate gifts, and that some may pose serious safety risks for infants and young children. Here are some tips to keep in mind this year when shopping for the perfect present.
Unfortunately, some toy manufacturers do not live up to the safety standards that parents and consumers demand for their families. In 2014 alone, there were several major recalls of products marketed to young children due to a variety of safety hazards.
One such recall in October saw Toys R Us pull roughly 30,000 Toy Toaster Sets off of their shelves because the plastic used could crack under pressure, creating sharp edges and small pieces that created a major choking hazard for children using the toy.
Other major dangers that caused toy recalls in 2014 included:
- Malfunctioning batteries that can cause burns
- Moving parts or projectiles that can cause eye or face injuries as well as puncture wounds
- Cords or strings that pose the risk of strangulation or entanglement
- Use of toxic lead paint or other harmful chemicals
The consumer protection organization W.A.T.C.H reports that there were at least 17 toy recalls in 2014 representing nearly 5 million units across the U. S and Canada. Some other key statistics about toy safety include:
- In 2013, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there were a total of 9 deaths related to toys among children under 15 years of age.
- 6 of the 9 fatalities in 2013 involved asphyxiation, 2 involved neck injuries, and 1 involved a riding toy where a child was struck by a motor vehicle.
- In 2013 there were an additional 265,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms.
W.A.T.C.H lists many “Toy Hazards to Watch Out For.” Some warnings signs on this list include:
- Toys with small removable attachments
- Toys with pointed tips, sharp edges, or blunt surfaces that could crush, cut or puncture the skin
- Toys with strings longer than 6 inches
- Toys which require electricity but do not have step-down transformers to reduce the risk of shock or overheating
- Toys with fur or hair that a child may try to ingest
Unfortunately, it can take just a moment for children to put themselves at risk while playing with a toy. The best thing for parents and guardians to remember is to always read and obey all posted safety warnings on a toy and to adhere to the recommended age limits. Even if you feel your child is old enough to safely handle a certain toy, it is always best to wait until they are within the proper age range.
Also, provide your child with proper supervision at all times to keep them from ingesting small parts or improperly using a toy in a dangerous fashion.
If a defective or dangerous product injures your child, call the caring and experienced Personal Injury & Product Liability attorneys of Daggett Shuler at 1-800-815-5500. An experienced North Carolina attorney that has extensive experience in handling Injury and Defective Product cases may be able to help.
You pay us nothing unless we win a recovery for you. Our Personal Injury and Product Liability attorneys can help you secure the recovery you deserve. Daggett Shuler is committed to protecting your rights.
Daggett Shuler. You can depend on us.