'10 Worst Toys' Of The Year According To A Toy Safety Group

It may not be obvious, but some of the toys made for children may inadvertently pose serious harm. To reduce these risks, a Boston-based toy safety group shared its annual list of the top "10 Worst Toys."

With the holidays just around the corner, parents may already be thinking of what to give their children as presents. And with the kids having to stay home for longer periods of time because of the ongoing pandemic, it's likely they would want to keep their children occupied with toys.

However, not all of the toys available on the market are as safe as they seem, toy safety group World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. (WATCH) said. And some may contain "hidden dangers" that may put children's safety at risk, according to the group.

This week, WATCH released a statement announcing its nominees for this year's "10 Worst Toys." The list includes the toys' brand names and why they are deemed potentially hazardous

• Calico Critters Nursery Friends - This toy contains small parts that are potential choking hazards for children.
• Missile Launcher - Apart from being a potential choking hazard, its warnings and cautions do not indicate a potential for eye and face injury.
• Marvel Avengers Vibranium Power FX Claw - This toy features rigid claws made from plastic, so the manufacturer includes a caution that prevents "hit[ting] or swing[ing] at people or animals."
• Gloria Owl - This plush toy includes a warning about "fiber shedding," posing risks for "ingestion or aspiration injuries."
• WWE Jumbo Superstar Fists - The toy does not come with warnings or cautions regarding the potential for "blunt force or impact injuries."
• Scientific Explorer Sci-Fi Slime - The group noted that this set to make "goop" has the potential for chemical-related injuries.
• The Original Boomerang Interactive Stunt UFO - The manufacturer encourages users to play "catch" by "pass[ing] the UFO back and forth to friends..." despite warning about probable propeller "damage."
• Boom City Racers Starter Pack - This particular toy comes with several warnings, including not playing the sounds close to the ear and not aiming it at the eyes. According to the group, this toy has the potential to cause face and eye injuries.
• My Sweet Love Lots To Love Babies Minis - It comes with a feeding set, which includes a rigid plastic spoon that is less than 3 inches long. The said item is a potential choking hazard.
• Star Wars Mandalorian Darksaber - Children are urged to "swing for battle" using this toy made of rigid plastic, with the potential for eye and blunt force injuries.

WATCH noted that these are just some of the toys that may be deemed dangerous. However, they are not the only ones.

"One reason the message today is so urgent: Many toy-related injuries are preventable," WATCH said, noting the latest statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which estimated 226,100 toy-related injuries in the U.S. in 2018 and 43 child deaths from toy-related incidents from 2016 to 2018.

"One child is treated in a U.S. emergency room every three minutes for a toy-related injury," the group said in the statement. "Behind each injury and fatality is a child and family whose lives are often permanently affected. Even one injury to one child is too many, particularly when the injury is preventable."

The group's statement also included calls for stricter government enforcement when it comes to products for children as well as tips on toy safety for parents.

The Toy Association, which represents the toy manufacturers, shared tips on how to keep playtime safe for children. These include checking for small parts, buying age-appropriate toys, reading the instructions properly, and checking the toys for hazardous parts such as sharp edges and breakages.