TOYS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
Every year around the Holidays, WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm) releases its annual list of the `10 Most Dangerous Toys’ currently in stores. This year, their list includes as many as 7 toys that pose grave risks of eye injury and vision loss among children.
Please be aware of these popular but dangerous toys that are currently on sale in most toy stores in the USA. Share this information on your social media network to warn other parents who may buy or receive these very toys as Christmas gifts this year.
1. Slimeball Slinger
By Diggin Active
This target practice play pack has a `slimeball launcher’ that looks like a slingshot. The aim is to shoot green `slimeballs’ at a super-sticky target, and the balls can be fired over 30 ft. The age recommendation is `6 and older’. The pack comes with the warning: `Never shoot at any person or animal’. The overwhelming risks of giving a small child a potential weapon for grave eye injury like this are pretty self-evident.
2. Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster
By Nerf (Hasbro)
The toy assault gun that “arms children for head-to-head competition”, shoots balls in 7 high-impact rounds. The “easy-load magazine” makes sure the battle is quick and fierce, and the ammunition provided has enough force to cause very serious eye injury. The packaging and advertising for this toy assault product show kids wearing protective masks over their face and eyes, but these accessories are not included in the purchase. You have to buy them separately. Manufacturer’s age recommendation is: 14 and up. Would you trust your 14-year-old and his friend with it?
3. Banzai Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers
By Banzai (Toyquest)
These body-bumpers are inflatable suits that cover the wearer from neck to the knee, with openings for the arms to go through. The idea is that when kids run into something, or deliberately collide with each other, they will bounce back. Recommended for 4-12 year olds. This rough-and-tumble game poses grave risks of head and eye injuries, especially as the suit interferes with a kid’s ability to resist a bad fall. No face-protecting safety accessory included.
4. Flying Heroes Superman Launcher
By I-Star Entertainment
“Grip it and rip it!” says the manufacturer about this hand-held launcher that shoots the plastic figure of a winged Superman high into the air. The packaging warns 4-year-olds never to aim the whirling Superman at anybody’s eyes or face, which points to the very probable danger of corneal abrasion and other eye injuries from the Superman with flapping wings flying too close to the eye.
5. The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch
By Tomy
This rugged T-Rex is marketed as a “Rustler’s worst nightmare”. Press a button and the dino starts to gallop, just like in the movie. Its jaw opens in a biting action and the creature can roar and make 8 sounds. All very good, until you notice how long, hard and pointy the dino’s tail is. Imagine giving your 3-year-old child a toy that is an eye injury waiting to happen!
6. Warcraft Doomhammer
By Jakks Pacific Inc.
Based on weaponry in the Warcraft movie, 6-year-olds can now “dedicate to the power of the horde” with this legendary doomhammer. The manufacturers only warn of choking hazard in the packaging because of small parts. But as a parent, you know how dangerous this iconic hammer can be once your child, inspired by the movie, launches into a passionate battle with other kids.
7. Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby
By Baby Magic
This cute doll plays peek-a-boo. Squeeze her left foot and she will cover her face with a blanket. She comes with her own feeding chair, interactive spoon, feeding dish, and baby bottle. When you place the interactive spoon to the baby’s mouth she makes eating sounds. And the hazard is in this interactive spoon. Recommended for 2-year-old kids and up, the spoon is always at risk to go into the mouth, causing choking, and in the eyes, causing dangerous eye injuries.