Toys can provide endless hours of entertainment and amusement for children. From babies and toddlers to tweens, there are a broad range of toys designed to captivate their attention, encourage their creativity, and stimulate their imaginations. Whether you are picking out a toy for a holiday, birthday, or as a reward for good behavior, there is a broad selection of toys available on American shelves to choose from.
While most parents take the time to read the safety instructions on the sides of toy packaging as well as age recommendations on the toys they buy to ensure the product is safe for their children to use, it is still possible to purchase a toy that could potentially pose a danger.
Defective toys cause an alarming number of injuries to children each year, and the damage caused by these toys can be serious and potentially life-threatening. If you or someone you know has children, taking a minute to familiarize yourself with the types of toys that most frequently cause harm and the dangers present in these toys could help to keep the little ones in your life safe.
Defective Toys
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the national agency in charge of protecting and alerting the public to defective and unsafe products. One of the services the CPSC provides is to notify the public concerning product recalls of items that pose a threat of being potentially dangerous to consumers. Defective toys that were recently recalled include the following:
- Origin8 Bicycles: This folding bicycle has a frame which can break, posing an increased risk of fall injuries.
- LaRose Industries riding toy: These toys’ plastic hubcaps can become loose and pose a choking hazard.
- Build A Bear stuffed animals: Satin seams on the stuffed animals have been shown to tear, releasing stuffing which can pose a risk of suffocation.
- PetSmart fish bowl kits: The bowls have been shown to crack or shatter under normal handling, posing an increased risk for cuts and lacerations.
Toy Injuries
According to safety reports from the CPSC, there were over 250,000 toy-related injuries that were serious enough to require a hospital emergency room visit in 2014. Over 65 percent of these injuries were suffered by children under the age of 12, and non-motorized scooters, riding toys, toy balls, plush toys, dolls and action figures were the leading cause of injury. Common types of toy injuries include:
- Head injuries and bone fractures resulting from falls;
- Choking as the result of small pieces or loose parts;
- Suffocation as the result of strings, stuffing, and toy packaging; and
- Cuts and lacerations from sharp edges.
In addition to the above, lead can present a serious problem when it comes to children’s toys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns parents that imported toys, toy jewelry, and antique toys can contain dangerous levels of lead. Children, in particular toddlers, often teeth on toys or put fingers in their mouths after touching lead-contaminated products, resulting in an increased risk of harmful lead exposure and poisoning.
Contact Our Portland Defective Product Attorneys
If you or someone you know has a child who was injured as the result of a defective toy, contact our experienced Portland child injury attorneys immediately. At the Johnston Law Firm, we provide aggressive legal representation to hold toy manufacturers and distributors responsible for the damages caused by defective toys, and can advise you on how to get compensation for the injuries your child has suffered. Call or contact us online today for a free review of your case.