10 Worst Toys of 2017
While Santa is checking his list for the second time, you might want to do the same with the gifts you have purchased for children. Are your gifts safe? The organization World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. published the following list of the 10 Worst Toys of 2017. You might want to check your list against this list.
The Ten Worst Toys
Toy 1 :: HALLMARK “ITTY BITTYS” BABY STACKING TOY
Price: $24.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hallmark Marketing Company, LLC
Retailer(s): eBay.com
Age Recommendation: None
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This plush Disney-themed stacking toy with four rattling rings is sold without age recommendations or warnings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice on August 31, 2017 due to “fabric hats and bows that can detach, posing a choking hazard.” A Hallmark “Itty Bittys” Baby Stacking Toy was purchased online after the recall was announced.
Toy 2 :: PULL ALONG PONY
Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Tolo Toys Limited
Retailer(s): Magic Beans; Amazon.com; Bonanza.com
Age Recommendation: “12m+”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR STRANGULATION AND ENTANGLEMENT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Despite the industry’s standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are still permitted to market “pull toys” such as the “Pull Along Pony” with a cord measuring approximately 19 inches. No warnings are provided.
Toy 3 :: WONDER WOMAN BATTLE-ACTION SWORD
Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Mattel
Retailer(s): Target; Toysrus.com; Walmart.com
Age Recommendation: “6+”
Warnings: “WARNING: small parts may be generated” and battery safety warnings
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT FORCE INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Young children are encouraged to bear arms, like a popular comic book and movie character, to engage in “[f]ighting alongside men in a war to end all wars. …” The rigid plastic sword blade has the potential to cause facial or other impact injuries.
Toy 4 :: HAND FIDGETZ SPINNERS
Price: $2.00
Manufacturer or Distributor: Kipp Brothers
Retailer(s): Walmart; Kippbrothers.com; Bulktoystore.com
Age Recommendation: None
Warnings: “WARNING: This product is a novelty gift item. It is not intended to be used as a toy” (On removable sticker)
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Fidget Spinners, like these bright-colored versions, can be found in retail toy aisles. These spinners remain popular with children of all ages, and some present potential small parts hazards.
Toy 5 :: SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-DRONE OFFICIAL MOVIE EDITION
Price: $89.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Marvel; Skyrocket Toys LLC
Retailer(s): Target; Best Buy; Toysrus.com; Walmart.com
Age Recommendation: “Ages 12+”
Warnings: “Drone has rotating blades that move at high speed, posing danger of… injury; “Keep spinning rotors away from fingers, hair, eyes, and other body parts”; and other cautions/warnings on package/package insert.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE AND BODY IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “official movie edition” remote-control drone, based on the well-known Spiderman Superhero franchise, is sold for use by children. The “performance drone”, designed to launch into the air powered by multiple rotating rotor blades is accompanied by numerous warnings, including the potential for “damage or injury”
Toy 6 :: NERF ZOMBIE STRIKE DEADBOLT CROSSBOW
Price: $49.49
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro; Nerf.com
Retailer(s): Kmart; Toysrus.com; Target.com; Walmart.com
Age Recommendation: “Age 8+”
Warnings: “Do not aim or shoot at eyes or face of people or animals”, and other cautions/warnings on product, package, and package insert.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Children as young as 8-years-old are encouraged to load “arrows” into the “deadbolt” crossbow, pull back the “primary pressurized lever” and fire the projectiles in order to “strike back” at “zombies.” The force of the arrow launch presents the potential for eye and facial injuries.
Toy 7 :: SLACKERS SLACKLINE CLASSIC SERIES KIT
Price: $69.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Brand 44
Retailer(s): Amazon.com; Dickssportinggoods.com; L.L. Bean; Homdepot.com; Magic Beans
Age Recommendation: “Ages 5+” (package); “Safe for all ages” (package insert)
Warnings: “WARNING: strangulation hazard”; “CAUTION: Remember a Slackline can be a potentially dangerous piece of equipment and can cause serious injury or even death”, and other warnings/cautions
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR STRANGULATION AND FALL-RELATED INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This Slackline is marketed for “all ages” pursuant to a package insert, providing a tightrope-like device intended to be anchored between two trees. The manufacturer warns of the potential for “severe injury”, including “a strangulation hazard, especially with children.”
Toy 8 :: OVAL XYLOPHONE
Price: $24.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Plan Toys, Inc., Plan Creations Co., LTD.
Retailer(s): Target.com; Toysrus.com; Walmart.com; Magic Beans
Age Recommendation: “12m+”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION AND CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This multi-colored musical instrument is sold for babies as young as 12 months old. The manufacturer provides no warnings regarding the slender, rigid approximately 9 ½” long drumstick handle, which has the potential to be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway.
Toy 9 :: JETTS HEEL WHEELS
Price: $33.99 or $39.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Razor USA LLC
Retailer(s): Kmart; Toys R Us; Walmart.com; Kohls.com; Target.com
Age Recommendation: “8+”
Warnings: “USING HEEL WHEELS CAN BE A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. … USE AT YOUR OWN RISK….” and numerous other warnings on package/package insert.
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT IMPACT AND FIRE-RELATED BURN INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! “Heel Wheels” are marketed to be strapped to heels of children’s shoes so footwear can be transformed into a type of rear-wheel roller skate. The manufacturer adds “real sparking” action to the “Jetts” with “skid pads”, as evidenced by numerous warnings, including: “Keep sparks away from eyes, hair, exposed skin and clothing. Sparks can burn.”
Toy 10 :: BRIANNA BABYDOLL
Price: $20.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Melissa & Doug
Retailer(s): Target.com; Toysrus.com
Age Recommendation: “Ages 18 Months+”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These “huggable, soft” dolls, marketed for babies as young as 18 months old, have “removable clothing.” The pink ponytail holders are also removable, presenting the potential for ingesting and choking.
Other Relevant Recalls
In addition to these toys, you may need to ask if your gifts are safe from several other product areas. Here are several other recalls of items for children. Here are some of the most recent, which might have been on store shelves when you made your purchases.
- Superior Importers Recalls Mattresses Due to Violation of Federal Mattress Flammability Standard; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com
- Squatty Potty Recalls Children’s Toilet Step Stools Due to Injury and Fall Hazards
- Todd Snyder Recalls Sweatshirts Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards
- Dream On Me Recalls Crib & Toddler Bed Mattresses Due to Violation of Federal Mattress Flammability Standard
It is always wise to be informed of any recalls affecting products you purchase. WATCH is one good place to find information about products for children. The Consumer Products Safety Commission maintains lists of all product recalls. Are your gifts safe? We hope so.
Call Altizer Law, P.C.
Altizer Law, P.C., handles products liability lawsuits every day. We are committed first, to keeping you safe. For this reason, we offer this list of dangerous products for children. We hope you have not purchased any of these items for gifts this year. If you have, return them to the store where you purchased them. There is still time to make an exchange and give safe toys.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by any damaged or dangerous products for any age, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you have been hurt, call us as soon as possible to discuss the product, the place you purchased it, and the harm done. We will help you to evaluate a possible case against the manufacturer. We are known for our aggressive handling of all products liability cases.
Related Content:
February 2017 product recalls’
What if Santa Trips on a String of Lights
