Community Columnists 10th Annual Toy Safety Campaign: 10 Most Dangerous Toys for 2008
Written by Don Keenan Monday, 24 November 2008 17:21
10th Annual Toy Safety Campaign: 10 Most Dangerous Toys for 2008
The statistics:
- 18 toy-related deaths were reported in 2007.
- About 170,100 hospital emergency room visits involved treating toy-related injuries to children 15-years-old or younger.
- Deaths resulting from toy injuries were predominantly caused by airway obstruction from small toys.
- Most injuries included lacerations, contusions and abrasions; the head and face were affected most often.
- The CPSC top five toys to watch out for in 2008 include toys with chargers/adapters, magnets, balloons, small pieces and riding toys.
- Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2008
What all parents should know:
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission Modernization Act was signed Aug. 14, 2008 – but does not take effect until Feb. 2009.
- The Keenan’s Kids Foundation estimates roughly 20 percent of toys currently on retail shelves will not pass the new safety standards.
- For this reason, toys that are still considered “safe” will soon be considered inadequate under federal safety standards – and they are flooding store shelves at reduced rates right now.
- When purchasing toys from second-hand stores and internet vendors, make sure the toy meets safety standards and has not been recalled or banned.
- The government is not always looking out for the best interest of a child; parents know their children best and always need to be looking out for their child’s safety.
1. Burn Dangers: Air Hogs RC Helicopters
Item Description: These indoor radio-controlled helicopters are precision controlled, making them ideal for smaller, interior spaces. The helicopters come with a Lithium Polymer battery (LIPOL, Li-Pol) and charger.
Price: $19.99-64.99
Made by: Silver Lift Spin Master
Age: 10+
Where you can find it: Wal-Mart, Walmart.com, AllAboardToys.com, other online remote control toy retailers
HAZARD:
Lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries can burst into flames or even explode if handled incorrectly or not charged with precision.
FACTS:
In 2008, there have been four separate toy recalls for different brands of rechargeable-battery operated toy helicopters, totaling more than 1 million toys. This is one example of a toy with a Li-Pol battery that can be dangerous.
The CPSC reported dozens of incidents where Li-Pol batteries overheated and/or melted and resulted in flames, minor property damage, and burn injuries.
(Source: www.cpcs.gov )
Children’s toys with chargeable batters and adapters are listed as one of the top five most dangerous toys for 2008 by the CPSC. Playing with these types of toys should always be supervised and parents should pay close attention to a toy’s instructions about how the battery should be properly charged.
2. Magnet Dangers: Magnetic Earrings
Item Description: Magnetic earrings generally consist of a small decorative part with a magnet inside. The earrings are held in place by putting a loose magnet behind the child’s earlobe.
Price: $3-10
Made by: Claire’s, Schylling and other jewelry retailers
Age: 5+
Where you can find it: Claire’s, Amazon.com, Emitation.com, MagneticEarrings.com, and other jewelry retailers
HAZARD:
Magnets used in earrings are just as powerful as magnets found inside toys that have been recalled after causing death and injury in countless children.
FACTS:
Earrings sold by Claire’s tested well above the toy standard of a magnetic flux of 50, and in one case were more than five times higher than the toy standard. They are one example of magnet earrings that can be potentially dangerous.
(Source: www.chicagotribune.com )
Nearly 30 instances in the U.S. and Europe included magnets from earrings being swallowed, aspirated into the lungs or getting stuck together on either side of a child’s nose cartilage; one 2-year-old boy was hospitalized in 2003.
(Sources: www.chicagotribune.com , www.cpcs.gov )
Children’s toys with magnets are listed as one of the top five most dangerous toys for 2008 by the CPSC. However, because the product is not technically considered a ‘toy’ by the federal government, it is immune to recent magnet regulations for toys.
3. Toys with Phthalates: Lip gloss and lip balm make-up set
Item Description: Girl’s lip gloss set featuring one glitter lip gloss and one lip balm in a keychain container
Price: $1
Made by: Girl 2 Girl
Age: 3+
Where you can find it: Dollar General Stores
HAZARD:
Phthalates are toxic chemicals that have been proven to cause long-term risks to the development of the reproductive and endocrine systems that regulate a child’s metabolism and hormone functions.
FACTS:
Phthalates are often used in children’s plastic toy products including bath toys and teething rings to make them soft and flexible, and can be found in beauty and household products.
The CPSC Modernization Act (signed Aug. 14, 2008) bans use of phthalates ( in all children’s products come February 2009.
For this reason, toys containing phthalates are prominent in the market right now, and parents should be aware that while the chemical is not always listed as an ingredient, it has been popular in household and children’s items.
(Source: www.ConsumerReports.org )
4. Strangulation Dangers: Balloon Physics Kit
Item Description: Kit includes balloons and makings for balloon boat, racecar and helicopter, and an instructional book with experiments and scientific explanations.
Price: $29.99
Made by: Thames & Kosmos
Age: 8+
Where you can find it: Target, Target.com
HAZARD:
Children can choke and/or suffocate on uninflated balloons or pieces of broken balloons.
FACTS:
Of all children’s products, balloons are the leading cause of suffocation death. This is one example of a toy that features balloons during play.
More than 110 children have died since 1973 as a result of suffocation involving uninflated balloons or pieces of balloons. Most of the victims have been under the age of 6, but the CPSC has reports of several older children suffocating.
(Source: www.cpsc.gov )
The CPSC does not recommend children under the age of 8 playing with balloons and adult supervision is required. In households with older and younger children, make sure the older kids don’t leave behind uninflated balloons or pieces of broken balloons after playing.
5. Electrical Shock: Dora the Explorer Lamp
Item Description: This colorful child’s lamp is shaped in the figurine form of Nickelodeon’s cartoon character, Dora the Explorer.
Price: $10
Made by: Nickelodeon
Age: None provided
Where you can find it: Walmart, Nickelodeon.com
HAZARD:
Potential for electric shock and burn injuries.
FACTS:
Product warning: “This is an electric product – 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.” The toy is considered for “seasonal uses” and is not intended to be used as a permanent light. The product instructions also recommend unplugging the light when unattended or when leaving the house.
Despite not being a “toy,” the warnings would mean little to children who may be inclined to use the Dora lamp as a plaything, and therefore expose themselves to potential electric hazards.
Every year, dozens of children are treated in ERs for injuries associated with electric shock.
6. Lead Dangers: Fairies backpack/bag
Item Description: Started in the U.K., Tyrrell Katz is now in the U.S. with an original line of luggage, bags and accessories for children. The pink fairies bag features drawstring closure with thick nylon straps and front pocket with zipper closure.
Price: $25
Made by: Tyrrell Katz
Age: 3+
Where you can find it: LittleJetSet.com, Barney’s New York, MyLittlePumpkin.com, other fine children’s clothing and accessories stores/internet sites
HAZARD:
Shockingly high levels of lead in the bag’s fabric can cause developmental problems in children who have prolonged exposure to the bag.
FACTS:
The bag has lead in the amounts of 1,855 parts per million (ppm) in the exterior fabric and 4,500 ppm in the interior lining, with trace amounts of arsenic and mercury. This is one example of children’s products with potentially dangerous levels of lead.
(Source: www.HealthyToys.org )
The current federal standard for lead in children’s products is 600 ppm.
According to some studies, one in 11 children has elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream, which can cause a variety of health-related issues.
7. Loud Sounds: High School Musical Rockerz
Item Description: The sound effects and riffs from original High School Musical soundtracks allow children to play along with the songs.
Price: $14.99
Made by: Disney
Age: 5+
Where you can find it: Target; Walmart, Toys’R’Us
HAZARD:
Sound toys over 85 decibels can be harmful to a child’s ear development and hearing.
FACTS:
High School Musical Rockerz registered 90+ decibels and are an example of toys that can be harmful if a child is exposed to the noise for a prolonged time.
More than 5 million children ages 6-19 have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss in at least one ear. (Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 2006)
At 85 decibels, a child’s hearing can be damaged when exposed for 8 hours; at 90 decibels it only takes 2 hours; and in mere minutes, hearing loss can happen with toys that register 97 decibels or higher.
Noise specification standards were created in 2003, recommended at 90 decibels or lower, but they are not mandatory. Parents should screen a sound toy first, if it seems too loud and doesn’t provide volume control, than it could be potentially dangerous.
8. Strangulation Hazards: Yo-Yo Ball; and Pull and Pop Pelican
Item Description: The Yo-Yo Ball has been around since the 90s, featuring a yo-yo attached to a long string. The Pull and Pop Pelican is new for 2008, with a pull-along pelican that pops balls out of its mouth as a child pulls the string.
Price: $3-$17
Made by: Marchon Inc.; Fisher Price Inc.
Age: 3+
Where you can find it: Both are available at Wal-Mart, Target, e-Bay
HAZARD:
Toys that have a string more than 12 inches long pose strangulation hazards.
FACTS:
More than 400 incidents were reported with the Yo-Yo Ball from 2002-2006. Of those, 290 reports involved the cord wrapping around the child’s head or neck; 16 incidents included children losing consciousness.
(Source: www.cpcs.gov )
Children playing with toys that feature long strings should always be monitored.
9. Choking Hazards: Barbie Peek A Boo; and Polly Pocket
Item Description: Barbie’s new Peek-a-Boo Petites sets include miniature Barbie dolls with tiny charms and accessories; and the Polly Pocket sets – such as the Sparklin’ Pets and Fab-tastic Fashions – include a Polly Pocket doll with small accessories.
Made by: Both made by Mattel
Age: Barbie is made for 3+; Polly Pocket is made for 4+
Where you can find it: Wal-Mart, Target, Toys’R’Us
HAZARD:
Potential choking hazard with small pieces.
FACTS:
These toys contain extremely small parts for the recommended age; some children up to the age of 5 still love putting things in their mouths.
Any toy pieces that can fit through a toilet roll tube can be swallowed by a child. Nearly all the accessories in both play sets fall into this category.
Toys with small parts are listed as one of the top five most dangerous toys for 2008 by the CPSC.
10. Sharp Objects: Batman Dark Knight Ninja Sword
Item Description: Based off of the weapon featured in the Batman: Dark Knight movie, the training ninja sword features motion sensitive swiping and clanging sound effects and includes soft throwing ninja disks.
Price: $20
Made by: Thinkway
Age: 4-8
Where you can find it: Wal-Mart, Target, Toys’R’Us
HAZARD:
Potential for eye and other bodily injuries
FACTS:
Swords and other toys that are featured as “weapons” pose a risk of injury because of the type of play they are generally used for.
While the toy is designed for play, sharp objects should be monitored by parents during playtime.
In the future…
- House of Representatives Bill 4040, otherwise known as the Consumer Product Safety Commission Modernization Act, passed Aug. 14, 2008.
- This bill creates more stringent hazardous product legislation beginning in February 2009.
- HR 4040 will institute plans for lowering the amount of lead allowed in children’s products from 600 ppm to 300 ppm by February, and from 300 to 100 ppm by August 2011.
- This modernization act also bans the use of phthalates in all children’s products.
- The new legislation will include other regulations, such as:
- Packaging information listing the product’s manufacturing location and date of production;
- Permanent labeling with the manufacturer’s contact information, the toy’s model name and number;
- Keeping records of consumer contact information to improve recall effectiveness;
- Instructional package warnings included on all product adveadvertising (i.e., internet sites, catalogues, etc.)
- State health departments being contacted when a voluntary corrective action is taken by a manufacturer or retailer;
- The establishment of a consumer product safety database that is publicly available, searchable, and accessible through the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website;
- A mandatory consumer product safety standard for four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles
- HB 4040, Aug. 14, 2008
This information originally published on November 24, 2008.
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