Chances are your child received some new toys this holiday season. We take for granted that toys being sold in stores are safe, but this is not always true. Defective and dangerous toys make their way into retail stores every year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a database of recalled products and every year hundreds of toys are recalled because of defective design, manufacturing, or inadequate warning labels.
Common Toy Defects
Any toy can be dangerous if it is not manufactured or designed safely or it fails to contain a warning about possible dangers. Common dangerous defects found in toys include:
- Choking risks—a reason behind most toy recalls is that the toy presents a choking risk to children. Choking is the fourth leading cause of death in children under 5, so it’s important to be aware of any potential choking hazards from toys that can be easily swallowed or have detachable parts.
- Missing warning labels—all toys should contain warning labels advising consumers of the safety hazards found in a product. Inadequate or misleading warning labels can make a toy dangerous.
- Burn or fire risks—some toys, especially those with an electrical component, can overheat, catch fire, explode, or cause electric shocks which can lead to serious injury.
- Strangulation risks—toys with long strings or straps can cause strangulation
- Entrapment risks—toys that can injure children by trapping body parts inside the toy can be very dangerous
- Laceration risks—toys with sharp or easily broken components are defective and unsafe
- Dangerous packaging—packaging that contains loose parts or sharp edges can make a product unsafe
Keep Your Child Safe
The best way you can protect your child from dangerous toys is to stay on top of recalls. The CPSC maintains a searchable database of recalled consumer products. Check there to make sure your children’s toys haven’t been part of a recall. You can also get the latest information on product recalls by signing up for Safekids’ email list.
Contact an Experienced Product Liability Attorney
If your child has been injured by a defective toy, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping injured New Yorkers. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.