Parents need to guard against potential hazards associated with some toys currently on the market, including toy guns that may be mistaken for real weapons, plush toys that pose suffocation risks, toys with small parts that present choking hazards, and projectile toys that could cause eye injuries, World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. or W.A.T.C.H., said Tuesday as it announced its 52nd annual “10 Worst Toys” list at its annual press conference.
“Our goal with the ‘10 Worst Toys’ list is to help families make info
rmed choices and keep kids safe,” Joan E. Siff, president of W.A.T.C.H., a safety advocacy organization, said in a statement. “Toy safety is about stopping potentially unsafe products from reaching children in the first place.”
With toy-related injuries still alarmingly high, this list serves as an essential resource for families, helping parents and caregivers spot hidden hazards in toys during the holiday shopping season, Siff said.
Toy-related injuries and deaths
Toys, primarily intended to entertain children, shouldn’t be on the list of parents’ safety concerns. There’s no excuse for repeat offenders when children’s health and safety are on the line, she said.
One child is treated in a U.S. emergency room every three minutes for a toy-related injury, according to the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
An estimated 209,500 toy-related injuries occurred in the United States in 2022, with 29 reported deaths from toy-related incidents between 2020 and 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.
Realistic-looking guns
When mistaken for real weapons, toy guns can escalate dangerous situations and have, in some cases, led to tragic outcomes, Siff said. Despite repeated concerns, these toys remain on the market, with the potential to pose dual hazards: they risk being mistaken for real firearms and may also pose a risk of eye injuries from projectiles.
Recalls too late
While recalls are important safety measures, they’re reactive, not proactive, Siff said, adding recalls can occur after a toy is already in the hands of unsuspecting children leading to serious, even life-threatening injuries.
“Toy safety extends beyond recalls,” she said. “Not all unsafe toys are recalled, and once recalled, they may remain in homes or schools where they can harm a child.”
This year, toys on the market were recalled for a range of defects, including fort kits with improperly secured button batteries, glow-in-the-dark party supplies containing lead, and soft toys with detachable parts that pose choking hazards – emphasizing the need for stricter safety standards.
“The recurrence of known hazards in recalled toys shows a broken system that needs fixing before more children are harmed,” said James A. Swartz, director of W.A.T.C.H., who is pictured above at the press conference announcing this year’s most dangerous toys. In the 12 months since the group’s last toy safety report, 31 toys – more than 22.6 million units – were recalled due to choking, ingestion, and toxic material hazards, among other dangers.
Safe design and manufacturing and stronger oversight
In a toy industry generating about $108 billion in sales globally, safety concerns need be a priority, not an afterthought,” said Siff, adding, many recalls involve safety issues that have long been known in the toy industry. However, toys and other children’s products with well-known hazards – such as button batteries that are improperly secured or small parts that could detach and be ingested – continue to reach the market, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and accountability.
She said stricter regulations, enforcement of existing standards, and responsible design, manufacturing, and marketing practices are essential.
“Agencies such as the CPSC face resource limitations in overseeing such a large industry, and current standards are often inadequate, with regulators struggling to keep up with emerging technologies,” Siff said. “Some regulations also fail to cover products marketed to children but not officially categorized as toys.
Swartz said the government must close loopholes on toy classifications to better protect children,” adding, “It’s unacceptable that children continue to be at risk due to preventable design flaws and insufficient oversight.”
Worst toy list from W.A.T.C.H.
- Wubble Rumblers Inflatable Furious Fist – Potential for blunt force and impact facial injuries.
- Pinovk Toy Colt .45 Pistol – Law enforcement could mistake replica for a real weapon, leading to tragedy.
- Kinetic Sand Scents – Ice Cream Treats Playset – Potential for ingestion, choking hazard, “do not eat” warning.
- Zuru X-Shot Poppy Playtime Skins Foam Dart Blaster – Potential for eye and facial injuries
- Bristle Hedgehog – Potential for ingestion injuries.
- Transformers Earthspark Cyber-Sleeve – Potential for eye injuries.
- Click N’ Play Toy Remote Set – Potential for choking injuries.
- Snackles – Sandy – Potential for suffocation injuries.
- Playzone-Fit Tri-Flyer – Potential for impact injuries.
- Zoo Jams Doggy Xylophone – Potential for ingestion and choking injuries.
“Think defensively about toy safety,” said Siff. “Whether buying in-store or online, inspect toys and packaging before giving them to a child.”
