Most Dangerous Toys of 2020

Believe it or not, not all toys are safe for children. Even ones that are for sale in stores or online may come with a slew of unknown hazards. With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it is important to know which ones are notorious for causing injury. Every year, consumer watchdog groups compile data to determine which toys are the most dangerous. W.A.T.C.H., or World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc., recently released its list of the top 10 most dangerous toys of 2020 – and they have been evaluating toys for consumer safety for more than 40 years.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 17 children died from toy-related injuries in 2018 and another 226,000 were injured. More than one-third of all children who sustained injuries were 5-years-old or younger. While it appears that the number of toy-related fatalities and children has decreased slightly since 2010, the majority of the incidents that still occur are actually preventable.

Manufacturers, suppliers and sellers have a duty to produce and sell safe products. If a product creates a substantial risk to consumers (or is unreasonably hazardous or unsafe), manufacturers are legally obligated to report the product to the CPSC. Even retailers who become aware that a product they are selling is unsafe must report to the CPSC. The CPSC is a federal agency that regulates not only product safety but also issues nationwide recalls.

The CPSC usually recalls kids toys for creating dangers like choking hazards, laceration and strangulation risks, puncture hazards, and even for the risk of lead poisoning. Dangerous toys can also sometimes cause falls, burns, and drowning. In just one year’s time, more than 1.1 million units of toys were recalled in the United States and Canada alone. While recalls can be an effective way to alert consumers of product dangers, they do not always reach everyone in time. Sometimes this is a result of a manufacturer failing to register their product with the CPSC and at other times, it is because toys were bought second-hand or due to families not having regular access to media alerts and messages.

This Year’s List of Most Dangerous Toys

Here is W.A.T.C.H.’s list of the most dangerous toys of 2020:

1. Calico Critters Nursery Friends. The consumer watchdog group says this toy creates choking hazards for children
2. Toysmith Missile Launcher. Use of this toy could result in injury to the eyes and/or face
3. Marvel Avengers Vibranium Power FX Claw, which also increases the potential for eye and face injuries
4. Gloria Owl by Jellycat. The Gloria Owl comes ingestion and aspiration-related hazards. Aspiration risks can lead to suffocation
5. WWW Jumbo Superstar Fists, which have the potential to result in impact and blunt force injuries
6. Scientific Explorer Sci-Fi Slime, which may cause chemical-related (e.g. poisoning) injuries
7. The Original Boomerang Interactive Stunt UFO, which creates laceration and cutting dangers for children
8. Boom City Racers Starter Pack, which may lead to injuries to the eyes and face
9. My Sweet Love Lots to Love Babies Minis, which creates ingestion and choking hazards
10. Star Wars Mandalorian Darksaber, which may cause blunt force injuries as well as eye injuries in children

Knowing which toys are the most dangerous of 2020 is one of the best ways to avoid allowing them to make their way into the hands of your younger loved ones. Although some of these toys are no longer available through major sellers and retailers online, consumers are still able to purchase most of them.

If you or someone you know was injured by a dangerous or defective toy, someone at our firm can help. A member of our legal team can evaluate any claims you may have and fight for the compensation you so rightfully deserve. To learn more about filing a legal claim, please contact a representative online now.

Philadelphia Products Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP Representing Injured Individuals Since 1947

Galfand Berger LLP  has offices located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Reading and Lancaster, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.