Google Screened
The Most Dangerous Toys of 2013
December 6, 2013
When shopping for toys this holiday season, consumers need to be equipped with important safety information to ensure the well-being of our children. The general rules that have applied for years, still apply. For example, toys for very young children must be large enough so that if they put it in their mouth (and they will!) it does not pose a choking hazard. Older children are interested in electronics, but they should not be loud enough to cause harm a child’s hearing.
Again this year, the product liability attorneys at Galfand Berger, LLP reviewed the Trouble in Toyland list of dangerous and potentially unsafe toys for 2013. This is the 28th annual report published by the non-profit U.S Public Interest Research Group (PIRG.)
Potentially Dangerous Toys
This year, The Trouble in Toyland report focuses on educating consumers to beware of choking hazards, the continuing problems of lead in toys, the danger of magnets and the threat that noisy toys pose to our kids. Sadly, choking on a toy remains the primary cause of toy-related injury and death among children. PIRG found toys that were misleading to consumers – they were too small for children under the age of three but were incorrectly labeled. A good rule of thumb: if the toy can fit through the cardboard of a toilet paper roll, it is too small for a toddler.
Lead toxicity directly affects the permanent brain development of children. Lead certainly has no place being used as a material in toys. Unfortunately, PIRG reports that lead and other hazardous materials continue to be present in some children’s toys. In addition to lead, toys containing other substances such as phthalates, antimony, and cadmium, are dangerous for children.
According to a National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, by the age of 12, one in five American children will experience some degree of hearing loss. Researchers attribute this to devices that children play with and excessively noisy toys. Gift givers should be mindful that the presents they purchase abide by the recommendations of 65 decibels for close range toys, and 85 decibels for those toys that will be used at a greater distance.
PIRG hazardous toys for 2013:
- Captain America Soft Shield: contains 29 times the recommendation for lead.
- Ninja Turtles Pencil Case: contains 150,000 ppm of one of six phthalates banned from toys, as well as excessive levels (600 ppm) of the toxic metal cadmium.
- The Chat & Count Smart Phone: produces sound measuring higher than 85 decibels which exceeds the recommended 65 decibels for toys held to your ear.
Read the full PIRG report here.
The Philadelphia Product Liability Attorneys at Galfand Berger: We Care about the Safety of our Clients this Holiday Season
Galfand Berger, LLP wishes all of our clients and their families Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year. If you find yourself in need of our services, our offices are conveniently located in Philadelphia, Reading, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to serve clients in Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, Reading and throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as in Southern New Jersey. If you require assistance or have a question regarding a personal injury matter or product liability claim, call our highly skilled and knowledgeable Philadelphia products liability lawyers today at 1-800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online.