The List Of The Worst Toys Of 2016 Has Been Revealed

(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.

  1. PEPPA PIG’S MUDDY PUDDLES FAMILY 
    peppa-pigPrice: $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.
  2. KIDS TIME BABY CHILDREN’S ELEPHANT PILLOW
    bathtime-elephantPrice: $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).
  3. SLIMEBALL SLINGER
    slimeball-slingPrice: $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.
  4. BANZAI BUMP N’ BOUNCE BODY BUMPERS
    bonzai-body-bumpPrice: $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.
  5. NERF RIVAL APOLLO XV-700 BLASTER
    nerf-apolloPrice: $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.
  6. THE GOOD DINOSAUR GALLOPING BUTCH
    good-dinosaurPrice: $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.
  7. PEPPY PUPS
    peppy-pupsPrice: $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.
  8. FLYING HEROES SUPERMAN LAUNCHER
    superman-launcherPrice: $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….”
  9. BABY MAGIC FEED AND PLAY BABY
    baby-magic-feedPrice: $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.
  10. WARCRAFT DOOMHAMMER
    warcraft-doorhammerPrice: $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.

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