As children begin to make Christmas lists, parents must know what toys may present hidden dangers. The most at-risk groups are very young children, who may be unable to recognize certain toys’ hazards.
Understanding the common risk categories
Learning about the toys that could be dangerous to children is essential to make sure they don’t make it inside your house. It may be necessary to know the types of common product threats to children:
Choking hazards: Choking hazards are a common product risk for children under the age of three. This hazard can especially present a problem when an older child receives a toy that may have swallowable parts with younger children in the household.
Magnets: Toys that include magnetic pieces present several risks for children. The risk of swallowing two magnets can connect between soft tissue inside the body and may require surgery to remove.
E-mobility devices: The wide range of e-mobility devices like hoverboards and other kinds of personal transporters present a danger for riders and those pedestrians they may collide into. Aside from the typical fall and collision injuries associated with mobility devices, some have battery hazards. Many products also have fire risks from battery charging.
Strangulation: Products that include tethers, straps or other pieces of material that can wrap around a child’s neck may pose a strangling risk.
Poisoning: Toys made with lead or toxic chemicals can have bodily effects ranging from acute poisoning to hormone alterations when ingested. Phthalates are a chemical used for making plastics flexible that can have hormonal effects in children.
2020’s 10 Worst Toys List
A consumer safety group has listed 10 toys for this Christmas season, citing the potential dangers to children and others. Here are some of the toys that are on the list:
- Calico Critters Nursery Friends
- Star Wars Mandalorian Darksaber
- Get Outside Go Launch: Missile Launcher
- WWE Jumbo Superstar Fists
- Avengers Vibranum Claw
- Scientific Explorer: Sci-fi Slime
- Boom City Racers
Before you complete your shopping list, familiarize yourself with the toys that could endanger your children.
