A U.S.-based safety group has released its top 10 鈥渨orst toys鈥� ahead of the holiday season, pointing out gifts with the highest risk of choking, injuring eyes and other hazards.
World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) announced its 46th annual list in Boston on Tuesday.
Items include the 鈥淧ower Rangers Super Ninja Steel Superstar Blade,鈥� a 鈥淐abbage Patch Kids Dance Time Doll,鈥� and a US$9.99 鈥淢arvel Black Panther Slash Claw.鈥�
鈥淭hese rigid, plastic claws, based on a popular comic book and movie character, are sold to five-year-olds to 鈥榮lash鈥� like the Black Panther, while simultaneously advising not to 鈥榟it or swing at people,鈥欌�� W.A.T.C.H. said.
A 鈥淐utting Fruit鈥� toy set for children ages two and older could puncture a child鈥檚 skin and cause blunt-force injuries.
A 鈥淶oo Jamz Xylophone,鈥� recommended for kids ages one to four, earned a special caution because the manufacturer provided no warnings regarding the 鈥渟lender, rigid, approximately nine-inch-long drumstick handle, which can potentially be mouthed and occlude a child鈥檚 airway.鈥�
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W.A.T.C.H. said online sales are expected to surge 17 to 22 per cent this holiday season, but parents are not able to touch and physically inspect a toy and its packaging for warning signs of obvious hazards before they buy.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 240,000 toy-related injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2016. A further 35 children died from toy-related incidents from 2014 to 2016. Statistics in Canada were not readily available.
In a joint statement by industry groups, including the Toy Association, which represents most toy companies in the U.S., senior vice president for the Retail Industry Leaders Association Kathleen McGuigan urged parents to give toys a good look before purchasing.
鈥淟ook for and follow safety guidance, heed the age grade listed on toy packaging, and buy from retailers they know and trust. Retailers want all families to have fun and safe holidays.鈥�
The Canadian Children鈥檚 Health and Safety Association released for parents.
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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