Ride-on, projectile toys top 2019 dangerous toy list

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Posted Dec 19, 2019

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2019 toy recalls, remedies

LANSING, MI - The wrong toy can cause serious injuries or even death among children.

Topping the list of toys to watch out for are ride-on toys, such as the Pogo Trick Board, and those that include projectiles, such as the Nerf Ultra One, according to the "10 Worst Toys" list by World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH).

"Every three minutes, a child is treated in a U.S. emergency room for a toy-related injury and because of this risk, it's important that we share a few tips on how to make informed decisions when purchasing toys this holiday season," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.

The AG's office released its 2019 Dangerous Toys Guide this week to help protect Michigan's children from harm, especially as last-minute shoppers race through isles collecting Christmas gifts. The guide includes a list of general toy hazards, types of toys that could be harmful, and 15 toy recalls from this year.

View the recalls with information about refunds, repairs and replacements in the gallery above. Discount stores and resellers may continue to sell recalled toys, the guide warns.

In 2018, 17 children under the age of 15 died in toy-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Protection Commission. Most of the deaths were associated with riding toys and children choking on small parts, like balls and balloons. That year, there were about 166,200 toy-related emergency room visits.

General toy hazards include:

Small parts (parts smaller than 1.25-by-2.5 inches pose a choking hazard, according to USCPC)

Strings

Projectiles

Toxic substances

Rigid or sharp materials

Inaccurate warnings and labels

Toy categories that can pose danger to children:

Ride-on toys: Ride-ons are the leading cause of toy-related child deaths. Always supervise children using these toys. Include appropriate safety equipment – such as a helmet, knee and elbow pads – when gifting these toys.

Toys with batteries: Battery compartments should require a tool to be opened since batteries can be a choking hazard.

Balloons: Balloons are the second-leading cause of toy-related deaths in children. When ingested, even a small piece of balloon can block a child's airway and cause suffocation.

Noisy toys: If it sounds loud to you, it's too loud for a young child's sensitive ears.

Magnets: When ingested, magnets can cause serious and even fatal injuries. They can perforate the intestines and can require surgery to remove.

Smart and connected toys: Toys connected to the internet pose a privacy and security threat to children. Use passwords and security settings to make the toys safer.

2019 "10 Worst Toys" list:

Nerf Ultra One: Risk of eye injury

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog: Ingestion and choking risk

Bunchems BunchnBuild: Hair entanglement and choking hazard

Yeti: Ingestion and aspiration injury risk

Nickelodeon Frozen Treats Slime: Chemical ingestion and irritation hazard

Anstoy Electronic Toy Gun: Realistic weaponry

Diecast School Bus: Choking hazard

Pogo Trick Board: Head and impact injury hazard

Power Rangers Electronic Cheetah Claw: Risk of eye and facial injuries

Viga Pull-Along Caterpillar: Strangulation and entanglement hazard

Find more information on these toys here. Find the USCPC's holiday safety center here. Find the AG's full dangerous toys guide here.