On behalf of Law Offices of Mauro Fiore, Jr. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
Between holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, your child likely receives dozens of toys each year. Most of the time, these additions only serve as a headache as you try to make room for them or get your child to put them away. What should be more important is making sure the toy is safe. The most common hazard seems to be small parts that can cause choking. However, babies and toddlers are not the only ones in danger from defective toys.
Increase in toy accidents CBS
News shares a study that revealed a significant increase over the years in injuries from toys (based on emergency department visits). While some may be from improper use or safety measures on the consumer's part, others are due to defects in design, manufacturing, or marketing. Despite regulations and testing standards, accidents and recalls continue to happen.
Top unsafe toys from 2017
Each year, the organization W.A.T.C.H. creates a list of the most dangerous toys of the year. The top 10 from 2017 included favorites such as the fidget spinner, a plastic Wonder Woman sword, and a Nerf crossbow. Common reasons for making the danger list included the following risks:
- Choking
- Strangulation
- Blunt-force injuries
- Eye injuries
- Burns
Some products contained warnings of such hazards, but others did not contain any labeling or impose any age limits for the toy.
Staying aware
If you are concerned about the safety of your child, you can take preventive action. Read warning labels and age restrictions on toys first to ensure your child should play with them. You may or may not receive notifications of or hear about recalls, but you can keep up with recalls through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Recall List. If your child gets injured by a toy, contact a personal injury attorney immediately after your child receives medical care. You may be able to take action against the responsible parties.