Between holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, your child likely receives dozens of toys each year. Most of the time, these additions only serve as a headache as you try to make room for them or get your child to put them away. What should be more important is making sure the toy is safe. The most common hazard seems to be small parts that can cause choking. However, babies and toddlers are not the only ones in danger from defective toys.
Increase in toy accidents, CBS
News shares a study that found a significant increase in toy-related injuries over the years (based on emergency department visits). While some may be due to improper use or consumer safety measures, others are due to defects in design, manufacturing, or marketing. Despite regulations and testing standards, accidents and recalls continue to happen.
Top unsafe toys from 2017
Each year, the organization W.A.T.C.H. publishes a list of the year's most dangerous toys. The top 10 from 2017 included favorites such as the fidget spinner, a plastic Wonder Woman sword, and a Nerf crossbow. Common reasons for making the danger list included the following risks:
- Choking
- Strangulation
- Blunt-force injuries
- Eye injuries
- Burns
Some products contained warnings about such hazards, but others lacked labeling or age limits.
Staying aware
If you are concerned about your child's safety, you can take preventive measures. Read warning labels and age restrictions on toys first to ensure your child can play with them. You may or may not receive notifications of or hear about recalls, but you can keep up with recalls through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Recall List. If your child gets injured by a toy, contact a personal injury attorney in the Inland Empire immediately after your child receives medical care. You may be able to take action against the responsible parties.