Twas the Season (Toys to Avoid)

Toy Box From Hell

(Toys to Avoid)

Twas the season for buying toys for our children, by name brands that we trust.
This has not been a good year for toys, and for Toymaker Mattel Inc. in particular.
company recalled 1.5 million Sesame Street and Nickelodeon plastic toys made in China for its subsidiary Fisher-Price because the manufacturer used paint that contains too much lead, which has been linked to many children's health problems and even death. after discovering that Elmo and the gang contained high levels of toxic lead paint. Then the Consumer Product Safety Commission struck again 18.2 million Polly Pocket and related dolls worldwide were also recalled because their tiny magnets could cause intestinal blockage or perforation if swallowed. Mattel is not the only corporation, Aqua Dots from the Spin Master corporation were recalled when it turned out that, if swallowed, the balls could render kids comatose.
With over 10 million units of toys recalled in the United States in the past year alone, one could assume that we are becoming careless.


many hazardous toys remain on store shelves, and innocent children are killed each year by the negligence of toy manufacturers.More than 200,000 children are hurt each year in the United States alone while playing with dangerous toys.

The single leading cause of death among young children is from choking, mostly on small balls, balloons, and tiny toy parts. Entanglement in ropes, cords and strings in certain toys also poses a risk of fatality to small children.
Latex balloons marketed to children younger than 8 pose a grave safety risk. Indeed, packages of uninflated balloons are supposed to carry age restriction labels but many do not; while other balloons, sold in loose bins, also fail to carry required warnings. Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling slots for older children that can cause eye injuries.
Chargers and adapters that can pose burn hazards to children. One watchdog group, the United States Public Interest Research Group (PRIG) found in a 2005 report that many toys for sale on the shelves of New York toy stores violated the Federal ban on small parts, and others lacked necessary warning labels. now we can add Lead Poison to the list

20 companies in state court, including Mattel Inc. and Toys "R" Us, claiming they sold toys containing "unlawful quantities of lead." The move follows major recalls of toys, lunch boxes, children's jewelry and other goods during the last year by CPSC

Please Watch out for these toys, and if you think you have any hazardess toys, please check this site out and you can check if yours are on the recall list.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html


Here's Our Toy Box From Hell - First our top 10 Worst Toys of 2007

AQUA BEADS is a craft kit that was intended to let children be created "multidimensional designs." But when water was added to the plastic balls, the outside coating actually became toxic. The result: Curious tykes who licked the balls enjoyed the effects of date-rape drug GHB, long before their college years.

GO DIEGO GO ANIMAL RESCUE BOAT-According to the recall notice, it was discovered that the “surface 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.

JACK SPARROW’S SPINNING DAGGER-toy safety group released its annual "10 Worst Toys" list highlighting both the hidden dangers like lead paint on a bathtub boat and more obvious hazards, such as poking an eye out with spinning plastic pirate's dagger.

STICKY STONES-Has the potential to cause severe internal injuries. If more than one 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


DORA THE EXPLORER LAMP-packaging encourages children to “light-up your room with Dora!” The character comes with warnings that states, 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”. Which that would be the last thing on a child's mind. 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 this be exposed to the potential from electric shock and burn injuries. Dora the Explorer Lamp, Fun house -- electric shocks and burns if confused for doll.

LIL “GIDDY UP” HORSE - SASSY PET SAKS- A tag on the horse states that it is sold for newborn babies, wheres 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. Meaning-Potential for ingestion or aspiration injuries.

Spider-Man 3 New Goblin Sword, Hasbro - manufacturer claims the rigid, plastic spring-action blade swiftly extends at the push of a button to a length of “over 3 feet long!” Like the saying goes, make it quick and painless, in this case, it would be quick but very painful. This sword and the edges has the potential to cause serious facial, eye and other impact injuries.

Hip Hoppa Til You Droppa, Spin Master, Ltd-Point of the toy is 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”. instructions caution result in loss of balance and possible injury.” Warning enables children to wear gear protection, but the toy itself has no such cautions, warnings or advisories. Can cause head or other impact injuries. If you decide to buy this for your children, please take in pro caution and have them wear gear protection, such as a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. But mainly to prevent any head injury's make sure, if any less use a helmet.

My Little Baby Born, Entertainment, Inc. -A small pink pacifier is attached to the baby’s pajamas with only a ribbon, if gets detached, could be choking hazard. It failed the toy industry’s inadequate small parts “choke tube” standard check.

Rubber Band Shooter, Simple Toys, LLC -Rubber bands should NEVER be sold as toys small parts could be a choking hazard and flying band could cause eye, or other impact injuries.

B'Loonies Party Pack, Ja-Ru, Inc. - Point of the toy is squeezing out a ball of plastic from one of the enclosed squeeze-tubes, and to stick it on the end of the blowpipe.” This gooey substance contains chemicals such as poly vinyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and plastic fortifiers. Flammable chemicals should not be part of any child’s toy, much less intended to be used in or near a child’s mouth and eyes. plastic toxic and flammable.

Her are just a few more toys to try to avoid, please remember to always keep your children supervised with any toys given at play:

• Baby Serena - Baby I'm Yours (Target)
• Air Kicks Kickaroos Anti-Gravity Boots (Geospace International)
• Lord of the Rings Uruk-Hai Crossbow Set (Toy Biz)
• Fantastic 4 Electronic Thing Hands (Toy Biz)
• Camouflage Water Bomb Fun Kit (Pioneer Worldwide)
• Splatmatic Pistol Splat Paintball Shooter (Palco Marketing)
• Animal Alley - Ponies (Toys R Us)
• City Blocks (IQ Preschool / Small World Toys)
• Fisher Price's Little Mommy Baby Baby Doll (Mattel)
• Star Wars Energy Beam Blaster (Hasbro)