World Against Toys Causing Harm announced its 51st annual nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” of the year.
Although intended for fun and entertainment, many toys contain hidden hazards unnecessarily putting children at risk of harm. Making safe toys needs to be the top priority in the design, manufacture, and marketing of children’s playthings.
Since most toys are sold during the holiday season, parents need to be aware of the wide range of potential hazards found in toys available for sale this year.
Calico Critters Animal Figures and Sets sold with Bottle and Pacifier Accessories, which were recalled this year only after two children died, is an example of how delays in taking action to remove hazardous toys from the market can increase the risk of injury and death to children.
Many toy-related injuries are preventable, said Joan E. Siff, president of W.A.T.C.H.
Safety concerns include toy weaponry with the potential for blunt force and eye injuries, plush pillow toys that could lead to infant suffocation, and water beads, such as Orbeez Seeds-Rainbow, that can expand when swallowed possibly leading to choking or ingestion injuries, Siff said.
Toys sold with unrealistic warnings and instructions and recalled toys sold second hand also are dangerous, she said
The nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” are representative of some of the many different types of potential toy hazards that families, caregivers, and educators can avoid to safeguard children year-round, Siff said.
The 2023 list of W.A.T.C.H. nominations for the “10 Worst Toys” is:
- Disney The Little Mermaid King Triton's All-Powerful Trident – potential blunt force and eye injuries.
- Original Squishmallows-Raisy – potential for suffocation.
- Soccer Boppers – potential for blunt force and impact injuries.
- Diecast Fast-Food Truck – potential for choking injuries.
- Our Generation Hop In Dog Carrier – potential for choking injuries.
- Orbeez Seeds-Rainbow – potential for choking and ingestion injuries.
- Splat-R-Ball Dude Perfect Blaster – potential for eye injuries.
- B Toys Make A Melody Musical Instrument Set – potential ingestion and choking injuries.
- Zoom-O Turbo Disc Launcher – potential for face and eye injuries.
- Carve Pro Stunt Scooter – potential for head and other impact injuries.
Be sure to avoid these toys and similar ones when you shop this holiday season.
Scary how many dangerous toys are out there. Don’t these companies test their products? Parents must be so vigilant.
There are standards for toys, but manufacturers, sometimes from other countries, disregard them.
Another excellent public service, Rita.
Thanks. And it’s a good reminder to be educated about product safety, for example, keeping up on toy recalls and other recalls.
Thanks for sharing this. My friend has a new baby and now I need to keep up on all these things. Especially since she has older children. Things that are meant for them can be dangerous for a baby.
Exactly. That’s a big problem. Little parts fall on the floor and go unnoticed. Button batteries are particularly dangerous. A big thing to look out for are inclined sleepers. If your friend buys one, be sure to have her check out whether it meets the new standards.
I hate seeing a Disney toy on the list. There are so many companies that really don’t care what a toy does to a kid as long as they make money.