Ten Worst Toys Of 2007 Named
Group Says Products Can Cause Harm, Death
POSTED: 11:28 am EST November 13,
2007
UPDATED: 10:44 am EST November 14,
2007
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BOSTON -- A consumer safety group released its annual list on Tuesday of the "10 Worst Toys" this holiday season.World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.), said the list represents toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries or even death.GO DIEGO GO ANIMAL RESCUE BOAT
Price: $15 to $20
Manufacturer or Distributor: Fisher-Price, Inc., a Subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.
Purchased: Retail stores nationwide
Age Recommendation: “2+”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR LEAD INGESTION INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These brightly colored orange and yellow boats were sold at retail stores nationwide from June 2007 through October 2007. Tens of thousands of these toys, identical in appearance to the one pictured, were recalled on October 25, 2007. According to the recall notice, it was discovered that the “[s]urface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal standard prohibiting lead paint on children’s toys.” Millions of recalled toys still may be in homes and schools across the country. There is simply no excuse for the sale of toys containing known poisons such as lead. Research has shown that exposure to this neuro-toxin can have serious long-term effects, particularly for children.
STICKY STONES
Price: $5
Manufacturer or Distributor: GeoCentral
Purchased: Thenaturestore.com
Age Recommendation: “Not for children under 3 years.”
Warnings: “Choking Hazard. Small Parts.”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING AND INTERNAL INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “powerful magnetized iron ore," marketed and sold as a toy for children, has the potential to cause severe internal injuries. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach inside the body, potentially causing intestinal perforation, infection or blockage which can be fatal. There have been recalls of toys that incorporate such magnets, due to the significant risk of injury. Incredibly, these magnetic stones are also displayed for sale by retail stores in bulk display boxes, which warn in-store consumers: “Swallowed magnets can stick together across intestines causing serious infections and death....” The pre-packaged stones available to internet shoppers provide no such warning.
JACK SPARROW’S SPINNING DAGGER
Price: $5
Manufacturer or Distributor: Zizzle
Purchased: Wal-Mart
Age Recommendation: “5+”
Warnings: “CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE AND OTHER IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This rigid plastic dagger, which is intended to strap to a child’s wrist, is associated with a character from Disney’s popular Pirates of the Caribbean series. The weapon spins at the push of a button with accompanying “electronic battle sounds." The manufacturer fails to provide any warnings regarding the potential for serious eye and other impact injuries.
DORA THE EXPLORER LAMP
Price: $12.68
Manufacturer or Distributor: Funhouse
Purchased: Walmart
Age Recommendation: None
Warnings: “THIS IS AN ELECTRIC LAMP -- NOT A TOY! TO AVOID RISK OF FIRE, BURNS, PERSONAL INJURY AND ELECTRIC SHOCK, IT SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED WITH OR PLACED WHERE SMALL CHILDREN CAN REACH IT.”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK AND BURN INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This colorful lamp, based upon the popular Nickelodeon “Nick Jr.” character, is in the form of a smiling plastic figurine. The packaging encourages children to “light-up your room with Dora!” The character comes with warnings that state, in part: “THIS IS AN ELECTRIC LAMP – NOT A TOY! TO AVOID RISK OF FIRE, BURNS, PERSONAL INJURY AND ELECTRIC SHOCK, IT SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED WITH OR PLACED WHERE SMALL CHILDREN CAN REACH IT.” Incredibly, children are further instructed to “unplug the product when leaving the house, when retiring for the night, or if left unattended." The manufacturer’s proclamation that the Dora cartoon character is not a toy has little meaning to small children, who may be attracted to the figurine and thus be exposed to the potential electric hazard.
LIL “GIDDY UP” HORSE -- SASSY PET SAKS
Price: $10.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Douglas
Purchased: Calendar Club
Age Recommendation: “FOR: AGE BIRTH & UP” (tag attached to horse); “THIS TOY IS INTENDED FOR CHILDREN AGES 18 MO. and UP” (removable tag attached to Pet Sak)
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION OR ASPIRATION INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These soft, plush horses are sold with their own “Pet Saks” that are intended to be used as carriers. Remarkably, a tag on the horse states that it is sold for newborn babies, whereas the carrier to which the horse is attached advises the toy is not intended for children younger than 18 months old. The toy presents a serious choking hazard in the form of a small, wooden bead as well as long, fiber-like hair that is not adequately rooted and is easily removable.
COMPANY RESPONSE: This toy has passed all U.S. government safety standards. The claim that it is a choking hazard is not true. This item and all the items we make are safe. It is incorrect to claim that the bead can release and present a choking hazard. It is sewn on and does not come off at all.The company is considering clearer labeling on the product to make it clear it is intended only for children older than 18 months.
SPIDER MAN 3 NEW GOBLIN SWORD
Price: $4.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
Purchased: Target
Age Recommendation: “Ages 6+”
Warnings: "CAUTION: DO NOT poke or jab with sword. Sections are made to stick together in the extended position and will not easily collapse if jabbed into an object, individual or animal," and other warnings.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This toy is marketed to children as “one of the most awesome weapons ever wielded by human hands!” The manufacturer claims the rigid, plastic spring-action blade swiftly extends at the push of a button to a length of "over 3 feet long!" This sword has the potential to cause serious facial and other impact injuries.
HIP HOPPA
Price: $17.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Spin Master Ltd. and Vivid Imaginations, Ltd.
Purchased: Toys R Us
Age Recommendation: “6+”
Warnings: “Not suitable for children under 36 months. This toy should be used with caution since it requires great skill to avoid falls or collisions," and other cautions and warnings.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR HEAD OR OTHER IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! “Hip Hoppa ‘Til You Droppa!” is the catch phrase for a toy consisting of a foot board atop an inflatable "high energy" ball. A hand grip with an adjustable strap attaches to the bouncy ball. Children are encouraged to stand on the base and, while holding the handle tight and keeping the strap taut, “immediately start hopping." The instructions also caution that improper dismount will result in “loss of balance and possible injury." The children depicted on the packaging are not wearing any safety equipment despite the manufacturer’s advisory: “For added safety protective equipment is recommended.” Only the package insert specifically recommends the use of helmet, knee and elbow pads. The toy itself has no such warnings, cautions or advisories.
B’LOONIES PARTY PACK
Price: $3.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Ja-Ru, Inc.
Purchased: Amazon.com; Hungates.com
Age Recommendation: “Age 6+”
Warnings: “CAUTION: FLAMMABLE MIXTURE. Do not use near fire or flames”; “Not a Gum. Do not chew or swallow," and other warnings/cautions.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHEMICAL INGESTION AND BURN INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Young children are encouraged to “CREATE FUN B’LOONIE SHAPES!” by squeezing out a ball of plastic from one of the enclosed squeeze-tubes, and to “stick [it] on the end of the blowpipe.” The gooey concoction contains chemicals such as “poly vinyl acetate," “ethyl acetate," and “plastic fortifiers." Flammable chemicals and related chemical fumes should not be part of a child’s toy, much less one intended to be used in or near a child’s mouth and eyes.
MY LITTLE BABY BORN
Price: $17.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Entertainment, Inc.; Zapf Creations AG
Purchased: Sears
Age Recommendation: “12+ months”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Toddlers are encouraged to “pamper” this “soft & cuddly” doll “just like a real Baby!” The small pink pacifier is attached to the baby’s pajamas with only a ribbon. Once detached, the plastic pacifier fails even the toy industry’s inadequate small parts “choke tube” standard.
RUBBER BAND SHOOTER
Price: $6.50
Manufacturer or Distributor: Simple Toys LLC
Purchased: Belmont Toys
Age Recommendation: “Not for Children under 5 years old”
Warnings: “Small Parts Choking Hazard”; “FOR TARGET PRACTICE ONLY! DO NOT AIM AT PEOPLE....”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “Shooter," which fires colorful rubber bands, is a “new” toy which the manufacturer promotes as “Old Fashioned Fun." Incredibly, at the same time the packaging promotes “Family Fun”, there is cautionary language stating: “FOR TARGET PRACTICE ONLY! DO NOT AIM AT PEOPLE....” Rubber bands should never be sold as toys, and have the potential to cause serious eye injuries.
Price: $15 to $20
Manufacturer or Distributor: Fisher-Price, Inc., a Subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.
Purchased: Retail stores nationwide
Age Recommendation: “2+”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR LEAD INGESTION INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These brightly colored orange and yellow boats were sold at retail stores nationwide from June 2007 through October 2007. Tens of thousands of these toys, identical in appearance to the one pictured, were recalled on October 25, 2007. According to the recall notice, it was discovered that the “[s]urface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal standard prohibiting lead paint on children’s toys.” Millions of recalled toys still may be in homes and schools across the country. There is simply no excuse for the sale of toys containing known poisons such as lead. Research has shown that exposure to this neuro-toxin can have serious long-term effects, particularly for children.
STICKY STONES
Price: $5
Manufacturer or Distributor: GeoCentral
Purchased: Thenaturestore.com
Age Recommendation: “Not for children under 3 years.”
Warnings: “Choking Hazard. Small Parts.”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING AND INTERNAL INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “powerful magnetized iron ore," marketed and sold as a toy for children, has the potential to cause severe internal injuries. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach inside the body, potentially causing intestinal perforation, infection or blockage which can be fatal. There have been recalls of toys that incorporate such magnets, due to the significant risk of injury. Incredibly, these magnetic stones are also displayed for sale by retail stores in bulk display boxes, which warn in-store consumers: “Swallowed magnets can stick together across intestines causing serious infections and death....” The pre-packaged stones available to internet shoppers provide no such warning.
JACK SPARROW’S SPINNING DAGGER
Price: $5
Manufacturer or Distributor: Zizzle
Purchased: Wal-Mart
Age Recommendation: “5+”
Warnings: “CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE AND OTHER IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This rigid plastic dagger, which is intended to strap to a child’s wrist, is associated with a character from Disney’s popular Pirates of the Caribbean series. The weapon spins at the push of a button with accompanying “electronic battle sounds." The manufacturer fails to provide any warnings regarding the potential for serious eye and other impact injuries.
DORA THE EXPLORER LAMP
Price: $12.68
Manufacturer or Distributor: Funhouse
Purchased: Walmart
Age Recommendation: None
Warnings: “THIS IS AN ELECTRIC LAMP -- NOT A TOY! TO AVOID RISK OF FIRE, BURNS, PERSONAL INJURY AND ELECTRIC SHOCK, IT SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED WITH OR PLACED WHERE SMALL CHILDREN CAN REACH IT.”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK AND BURN INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This colorful lamp, based upon the popular Nickelodeon “Nick Jr.” character, is in the form of a smiling plastic figurine. The packaging encourages children to “light-up your room with Dora!” The character comes with warnings that state, in part: “THIS IS AN ELECTRIC LAMP – NOT A TOY! TO AVOID RISK OF FIRE, BURNS, PERSONAL INJURY AND ELECTRIC SHOCK, IT SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED WITH OR PLACED WHERE SMALL CHILDREN CAN REACH IT.” Incredibly, children are further instructed to “unplug the product when leaving the house, when retiring for the night, or if left unattended." The manufacturer’s proclamation that the Dora cartoon character is not a toy has little meaning to small children, who may be attracted to the figurine and thus be exposed to the potential electric hazard.
LIL “GIDDY UP” HORSE -- SASSY PET SAKS
Price: $10.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Douglas
Purchased: Calendar Club
Age Recommendation: “FOR: AGE BIRTH & UP” (tag attached to horse); “THIS TOY IS INTENDED FOR CHILDREN AGES 18 MO. and UP” (removable tag attached to Pet Sak)
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION OR ASPIRATION INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These soft, plush horses are sold with their own “Pet Saks” that are intended to be used as carriers. Remarkably, a tag on the horse states that it is sold for newborn babies, whereas the carrier to which the horse is attached advises the toy is not intended for children younger than 18 months old. The toy presents a serious choking hazard in the form of a small, wooden bead as well as long, fiber-like hair that is not adequately rooted and is easily removable.
COMPANY RESPONSE: This toy has passed all U.S. government safety standards. The claim that it is a choking hazard is not true. This item and all the items we make are safe. It is incorrect to claim that the bead can release and present a choking hazard. It is sewn on and does not come off at all.The company is considering clearer labeling on the product to make it clear it is intended only for children older than 18 months.
SPIDER MAN 3 NEW GOBLIN SWORD
Price: $4.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
Purchased: Target
Age Recommendation: “Ages 6+”
Warnings: "CAUTION: DO NOT poke or jab with sword. Sections are made to stick together in the extended position and will not easily collapse if jabbed into an object, individual or animal," and other warnings.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This toy is marketed to children as “one of the most awesome weapons ever wielded by human hands!” The manufacturer claims the rigid, plastic spring-action blade swiftly extends at the push of a button to a length of "over 3 feet long!" This sword has the potential to cause serious facial and other impact injuries.
HIP HOPPA
Price: $17.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Spin Master Ltd. and Vivid Imaginations, Ltd.
Purchased: Toys R Us
Age Recommendation: “6+”
Warnings: “Not suitable for children under 36 months. This toy should be used with caution since it requires great skill to avoid falls or collisions," and other cautions and warnings.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR HEAD OR OTHER IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! “Hip Hoppa ‘Til You Droppa!” is the catch phrase for a toy consisting of a foot board atop an inflatable "high energy" ball. A hand grip with an adjustable strap attaches to the bouncy ball. Children are encouraged to stand on the base and, while holding the handle tight and keeping the strap taut, “immediately start hopping." The instructions also caution that improper dismount will result in “loss of balance and possible injury." The children depicted on the packaging are not wearing any safety equipment despite the manufacturer’s advisory: “For added safety protective equipment is recommended.” Only the package insert specifically recommends the use of helmet, knee and elbow pads. The toy itself has no such warnings, cautions or advisories.
B’LOONIES PARTY PACK
Price: $3.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Ja-Ru, Inc.
Purchased: Amazon.com; Hungates.com
Age Recommendation: “Age 6+”
Warnings: “CAUTION: FLAMMABLE MIXTURE. Do not use near fire or flames”; “Not a Gum. Do not chew or swallow," and other warnings/cautions.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHEMICAL INGESTION AND BURN INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Young children are encouraged to “CREATE FUN B’LOONIE SHAPES!” by squeezing out a ball of plastic from one of the enclosed squeeze-tubes, and to “stick [it] on the end of the blowpipe.” The gooey concoction contains chemicals such as “poly vinyl acetate," “ethyl acetate," and “plastic fortifiers." Flammable chemicals and related chemical fumes should not be part of a child’s toy, much less one intended to be used in or near a child’s mouth and eyes.
MY LITTLE BABY BORN
Price: $17.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Entertainment, Inc.; Zapf Creations AG
Purchased: Sears
Age Recommendation: “12+ months”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Toddlers are encouraged to “pamper” this “soft & cuddly” doll “just like a real Baby!” The small pink pacifier is attached to the baby’s pajamas with only a ribbon. Once detached, the plastic pacifier fails even the toy industry’s inadequate small parts “choke tube” standard.
RUBBER BAND SHOOTER
Price: $6.50
Manufacturer or Distributor: Simple Toys LLC
Purchased: Belmont Toys
Age Recommendation: “Not for Children under 5 years old”
Warnings: “Small Parts Choking Hazard”; “FOR TARGET PRACTICE ONLY! DO NOT AIM AT PEOPLE....”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “Shooter," which fires colorful rubber bands, is a “new” toy which the manufacturer promotes as “Old Fashioned Fun." Incredibly, at the same time the packaging promotes “Family Fun”, there is cautionary language stating: “FOR TARGET PRACTICE ONLY! DO NOT AIM AT PEOPLE....” Rubber bands should never be sold as toys, and have the potential to cause serious eye injuries.
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Worst Toys Named
