Child Injuries From Defective Toys
The very toys that bring great joy to your children can, unfortunately, also cause great harm. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that in 2008, more than 235,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for defective toy-related injuries. Some defective toy-related injuries can be fatal, including drowning, suffocation, and strangulation.
Riding Toys
Riding toys (including non-powered scooters) are associated with more injuries than any other toy group. Death may occur when a child is hit by a motor vehicle, or when a child rides the toy into a body of water or down the stair.
Choking Hazards
The Child Safety Protection Act requires choking hazard warning labels on packaging for small toys or toys containing small parts that are intended for use by children ages 3 to 6. The Act also bans any toy intended for use by children under age 3 that may pose a choking or ingestion hazard. Parents should read all warning labels carefully before purchasing any child’s toy.
Defective Toy Recalls
Manufacturers will recall toys when they have been found unsafe or when a design problem has been reported. Sometimes, however, manufacturers recall toys too late, after children have been seriously or fatally injured. Parents should check recall notices when shopping for toys to ensure that new toys have not been recalled, and also verify that none of a child’s existing toys have been recalled. A list of toy recalls can be found at www.Recalls.gov.
Safety Testing
Several public and private agencies also test toys for safety. The resources of these agencies are limited, however, and agencies are only able to test a fraction of the toys on the market. Some private agencies include:
- HealthyStuff.Org: Tests toys and other children’s products.
- GoodGuide: Tests toys and other children’s products.
- US PIRG: Releases annual toy safety report.
- W.A.T.C.H. : Compiles an annual worst toys list.
Foreign Toys
Many children’s toys are manufactured in other countries. Because not all countries have the same toy safety standards, toys purchased in this country can be unsafe for your child’s play.
Safety Tips
Parents and caregivers should be especially cautious in assessing gifts of toys to children during holidays. Children become excited at holiday time and may be overly enthusiastic in playing with new toys. Any damage or breakage of toys that are defectively designed could create sharp edges or a choking hazard to children. Parents and caregivers should be advised of the following:
- Never give a young child a toy that is intended for an older age group;
- When selecting toys for young children, beware of small or moving parts that could become detached and potentially choke a child;
- Remember that most young children put toys in their mouths.
Las Vegas Product Liability Lawyers
If your child has been seriously or fatally injured as a result of playing with a defective toy, the manufacturer or toy designer may be liable for damages for failure to warn of defects or to recall the defective and dangerous toy. Contact the Oronoz Injury Law to seek counsel and for the compensation to which you and your family are entitled for your child’s injury and tragic loss.
