W.A.T.C.H. Lists The 2019 Holiday Season’s 10 Worst Toys
by King Law
On Tuesday (November 19, 2019), World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) released its annual list of the “10 Worst Toys of 2019,” which consists of the most dangerous toys available for purchase this upcoming holiday shopping season. Some of the most common safety concerns associated with the toys on the list are projectile toys that could cause eye injuries, potential choking hazards, and potential ingestion injuries.
Here are the 2019 nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” to buy your children:
- Nerf Ultra One (Ages 8+) – Touted as the farthest flying dart the company has created, this toy’s dart “blaster” can fire projectiles up to 120 feet at high speeds. However, the fast-flying dart can potentially result in eye injuries.
- Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog (Ages 18+ months) – This toy hedgehog is equipped with removable plastic “quills” that are approximately 3 ½ inches long. Children could potentially put the quills in their mouths and block their airway, causing a choking injury.
- Bunchems Bunch’n Build (Ages 4+) – These colorful, sticky balls designed for building purposes. However, the balls can get caught in children’s hair, causing entanglement injuries. Additionally, it is also considered a choking hazard.
- Yeti (Ages 24+ months) – The toy’s long and fiber-like hair isn’t properly rooted, meaning children could easily remove them with minimum effort. When the hair is separated from the toy, it can potentially lead to ingestion and aspiration injuries.
- Nickelodeon Frozen Treats Slime (Ages 6+) – Marketed as frozen treats such as “soft serve,” mint chocolate chip,” and “berry smoothie” that appear like children’s favorite snacks; however, they are not real food and contain harmful chemicals if ingested.
- Anstoy Electronic Toy Gun (Ages 14+) – Not only does this toy gun shoot gel ball bullets that can harm people or animals at close range, but it resembles a real weapon. Detailed replicas are often mistaken as real guns, which have led to several deaths over the years.
- Diecast School Bus (Ages 3+) – This mini school bus can potentially be a choking hazard. The warning on the toy is placed on a removable sticker.
- Pogo Trick Board (Ages 6+) – A bouncy ball is attached to a board with dual handles. Although the warning label advises children to wear a helmet, one out of the three kids on the packaging is not wearing one. Without a helmet, using the toy can potentially result in head and impact injuries.
- Power Rangers Electronic Cheetah Claw (Ages 5+) – The rigid claws are made of plastic. Since this toy is marketed as a weapon, despite advising children not to hit people, doing so could lead to eye and facial injuries.
- Viga Pull Along Caterpillar (Ages 18+ months) – Although the toy industry’s standard for strings on crib and playpen toys is less than 12 inches, this toy has a cord that measures 24 inches. There are no warnings on the packaging, although the long string can lead to strangulation and entanglement injuries.
For more than 40 years, W.A.T.C.H. has brought to light the most dangerous toys every year in order to stop the production of hazardous products and ultimately reduce child-related injuries and deaths.
If you or your child has been injured by a dangerous or defective product in Rochester, NY, contact King Law today at (585) 270-8882 for a free consultation.
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