(PCM) The holiday shopping season is already full steam ahead and of course, children’s toys are at the top of everyone’s shopping list. Each year at the start of the holiday season WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc) releases their annual list of the top ten worst or most dangerous toys that are currently available for purchase.
Toys can be blacklisted by WATCH for a plethora of reasons including choking hazards, improper age restrictions, and the ability to cause a child physical harm. You can view the WATCH top ten list of the worst toys of 2016 below.
Although parents have a right to expect that toys they give to their children are safe, unsafe toys remain an ongoing problem. Due to poor design, manufacturing and marketing practices, there are toys available for purchase today with the potential to lead to serious injury and even death. W.A.T.C.H. urges parents and caregivers to take precautions when buying toys— especially during the upcoming 2016 Holiday Season, which accounts for more than 65% of all toy sales.
- PEPPA PIG’S MUDDY PUDDLES FAMILY
Price: $11.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Jazwares, LLC
Retailer(s): Target, Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “2+ or 3+” (depending on which packaging purchased)
Warnings: “WARNING! CHOKING HAZARD-small parts. Not for children
under 3 years” (on some packages for sale, not on others)
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This set of four “Peppa Pig” figurines includes an entire “muddy puddles family”.
Incredibly, despite the “choking hazard” warning and “3+” age recommendation on the packaging of
some toys, other packages of what appear to be the same toys are sold for oral-age children as young
as “2+” with no warnings about toy-related hazards. - KIDS TIME BABY CHILDREN’S ELEPHANT PILLOW
Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Kids Time US; Appease Toys
Retailer(s): Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “Age range: >3 years old, Grown-ups” (retailer website only)
Warnings: None. Product description on retailer website states in part:
“When this elephant pillow [is] for use with infant, it should be
under adult supervision”
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR SUFFOCATION!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This large, plush pillow in the form of a cuddly stuffed elephant is marketed with
an image on the retailer’s website depicting an infant snuggling alone with the plush animal. There
are no warnings or age recommendations on the product itself. The hazards associated with pillows
sold for infants are well documented. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has
warned that a pillow can block a baby’s mouth and can cause a baby to suffocate. “Infant pillow[s]”
and “any other similar article[s]” which are “intended or promoted for use by children under one
year of age” have been banned by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (16 CFR 1500.18). - SLIMEBALL SLINGER
Price: $24.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Diggin Active, Inc
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “6+”
Warnings: “WARNING! Never shoot at any person or animal…” and other
warnings, cautions and instructions on package
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “slimeball launcher” is similar to a slingshot, and is sold with bright green
“slimeballs” as ammunition, which can be fired “over 30 feet!” Projectiles launched with such force
have the potential to cause serious eye injuries. - BANZAI BUMP N’ BOUNCE BODY BUMPERS
Price: $14.88
Manufacturer or Distributor: ToyQuest
Retailer(s): Walmart, Amazon.com, Ebay.com, Sears.com
Age Recommendation: “4-12”
Warnings: “WARNING! To avoid risk of serious injury or death: …This
product does not provide protection. Impact hazard may present;
protective equipment (for head, elbows, knees, hands, etc) should
be worn (not included),” and other warnings/cautious on package
insert, packaging and product
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Children as young as 4-years-old are encouraged to “[s]lip into your bumper suit
for a “bumpin’ bump ‘em’ fun time!” Children on the packaging are shown running into each other
without any “protection” (not included), as recommended by the manufacturer. - NERF RIVAL APOLLO XV-700 BLASTER
Price: $34.48
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
Retailer(s): Walmart.com, Target.com, Amazon.com, Kmart.com
Age Recommendation: “AGES 14+”
Warnings: NONE
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The manufacturer of this “blaster” with an “easy-load magazine” encourages
“precision battling” during “intense head-to-head competition.” The ammunition provided can shoot
with enough force to potentially cause eye injuries. Images on the box depict children wearing masks
covering their face and eyes, however the face mask is “not included” and must be purchased
separately. - THE GOOD DINOSAUR GALLOPING BUTCH
Price: $26.00
Manufacturer or Distributor: Tomy
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Walmart.com, ToyRUs.com
Age Recommendation: “3+”
Warnings: “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD –Small parts… Not for
children under 3 years” (packaging)
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR PUNCTURE WOUND INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “rugged Tyrannosaurus Rex” is a popular children’s movie character
marketed as a “Rustler’s worst nightmare.” Operation of the dinosaur by children as young as 3-
years-old in order to evoke “galloping action and sounds” requires the push of a button on the toy’s
rigid, pointed tail, which may be held close to a child’s torso or face. There exists a potential for
significant puncture wound injuries during encouraged playtime activity. - PEPPY PUPS
Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: TPF Toys, Ltd.
Retailer(s): Toys R Us
Age Recommendation: “2+”
Warnings: None (instructions on packaging: “Adult supervision Required”)
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR STRANGULATION 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 permitted to market pull toys like the “Peppy Pup,”
with a cord measuring approximately 31 inches. - FLYING HEROES SUPERMAN LAUNCHER
Price: $16.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: I-Star Entertainment, LLC; The Bridge Direct, Inc.
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Sears.com, Ebay.com,
BigW.com
Age Recommendation: “4+”
Warnings: “Warning! Never aim at eyes or face” (packaging), and other
“safety instructions” and warnings on packaging and insert
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE AND FACIAL INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This flying, winged superhero figurine is sold with a launcher for children as
young as 4 years old, who are encouraged to “[g]rip it!” and “[r]ip it!” The instructions caution that
the Superman character should only be launched “at arm’s length and pointing up and away from
your face….” - BABY MAGIC FEED AND PLAY BABY
Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: New Adventures LLC LTD
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Sears.com
Age Recommendation: “2+”
Warnings: None
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “Baby Magic” doll, which plays “peek a boo,” comes with a baby bottle, high
chair, blanket, food dish, and “interactive spoon.” The slender, rigid plastic spoon is approximately 2
¾” long, with the potential to be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway. - WARCRAFT DOOMHAMMER
Price: $9.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “6+”
Warnings: “Warning. Not suitable for children under 36 months. Small
parts. Choking hazard” (packaging)
HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! 6-year-old children are encouraged to “[f]eel the power of the horde!” with the
“legendary Doomhammer,” based on weaponry in the “Warcraft” movie. The manufacturer offers
no warnings regarding potential impact injuries associated with foreseeable use of the heavy, rigid
plastic battle hammer.
