With the 2019 holiday season in full swing, parents and relatives everywhere are rushing to get their hands on the perfect toys for the children in their lives.
However, despite years of progress in keeping dangerous toys off shelves by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), elected officials, non-profits, and public health organizations, there are still many toys on the market that can pose serious risks to young children.
Choking Hazards
One of the first things to look for before gifting a toy to a child is whether or not it poses a choking hazard – not just for the recipient but for other children in the home. Toys that can pose a choking hazard include figurines, game pieces, those that require self-assembly, or those with pieces that can fall off or break off.
Loud Noises
Some toys produce sounds that violate standards for audio testing established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If toys are too loud, they can actually damage a child’s hearing. Try playing with the toy yourself and see if it sounds too loud. If this is the case and you still wish to purchase it, you may want to remove batteries to stop the noise, or put tape over the speaker to reduce the volume.
Toys Intended for Older Children, Teens, or Adults
This may seem like common sense, but toys created for teens and adults can be extremely dangerous for kids. Be sure that the toy you are buying meets standards for young children.
Toxins
Researchers continue to find toxic contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and boron in toys and other products marketed to children. For example, some slime products have been found to contain high levels of boron which can cause nausea, vomiting, and long term reproductive health issues. Instead of buying slime from the store, consider making your own with your child that way you know what is in it.
Cybersecurity Issues
A scary but true reality is that smart toys that operate over unsecured networks can leave your child and family vulnerable to hackers, who can collect and store your information. Therefore, pay close attention to the toys your child is playing with and make sure they are either using them offline or on a secure network. Also, be aware of the personal information that they enter.
Be Proactive
One of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of exposing your child to harmful toys is to do your own homework. Conduct your own research and be observant as to what it is that your kids are using.
For more information on toy hazards to be aware of, check out the U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Toy Safety Tips. You can also check out the World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) 2019 nominees for 10 worst toys.
Henson Fuerst Can Help
If your child has been harmed due to a dangerous toy, you may be entitled to compensation.
With years of experience working with those who have been injured by no fault of their own, the compassionate team at Henson Fuerst will fight for you to receive the compensation that you need.
We look at each case individually and will guide you through each step of your legal process. Call Henson Fuerst today at 919-781-1107 for a FREE Legal Consultation or fill out a FREE Consultation Form online.
