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Consumer Watchdog Group Releases "10 Worst Toys" List Of 2015

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As shoppers head out to buy presents for all the kids on their list, one non-profit organization says there are ten toys you should absolutely avoid.  World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (or W.A.T.C.H.) is a non-profit organization that says it wants to make the world safer for children... starting with the toys the play with.  The group compiled a list of toys it says are "the worst" of 2015 and the dangers they pose include everything from possible choking hazards... to potential for blunt force injuries.

1. "BUD" SKIPIT'S WHEELY CUTE PULL ALONG

1 pull toy
"BUD" SKIPIT'S WHEELY CUTE PULL ALONG (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $29.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Bunnies By The Bay
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Ebay, Bunniesbythebay.com
Age Recommendation: "Babies 6 months and older"
Warnings on package: None

THE HAZARD: Potential For Choking Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. says the soft, plush puppy pull toy is marketed for infants as a "friend" who is
"ready to roll." It sits on two sets of red wooden wheels with blue hub caps. On
June 16, 2015, certain lots of the toys were recalled because the hub caps "can break or come
off at the wheel, posing a choking hazard for young children."

 

2. FOAM DART GUN

2 foam gun
FOAM DART GUN (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $13.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: GD.Jiefeng Toys
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Ebay
Age Recommendation: "For Ages 3 & Up"
Warnings: "WARNING: Do not aim at eyes or face. TO AVOID
INJURY: Do not modify darts", and other warnings (listed on package only)

THE HAZARD: Realistic Toy Weaponry

W.A.T.C.H. notes that in today's world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy
weapons designed to produce potentially dangerous and unnecessary thrills. Existing regulations
addressing the hazards associated with such "toys" are inadequate. Detailed replicas have
resulted in a number of deaths through the years and should never be sold as toys.

 

3. STATS 38" QUICK FOLDING TRAMPOLINE

3 tramp
STATS 38" QUICK FOLDING TRAMPOLINE (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $49.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Toys R Us, Inc.
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Ebay
Age Recommendation: "6+"

THE HAZARD: Potential For Head, Neck And Other Bodily Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. says this trampoline is sold in the toy aisle for children as young as 6 years old.
The package insert cautions, in part, as follows:
"Landing on the head or neck can cause serious injury, paralysis, or death, even when
landing in the middle of the bed."
Further, despite an instruction that the product be used "only with adult supervision," a photo on
the packaging shows a child bouncing alone.

 

4. POO-DOUGH

poo dough
POO DOUGH (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $4.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Skyrocket Toys LLC
Retailer(s): Kmart, Amazon.com, Walmart, Toys R Us
Age Recommendation: "3+"

THE HAZARD: Potential For Allergy-Related Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. advises that the product, which consists of a "poo mold" and three cans of brown "Poo-Dough compound," contains an "allergy notice" on the throw-away packaging that the dough contains wheat. Allergic reactions to wheat include symptoms ranging from hives, headaches and difficulty breathing, to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

 

5. SPLAT X SMACK SHOT

5 splat
SPLAT X SMACK SHOT (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $10.00
Manufacturer/Distributor: Imperial Toy LLC
Retailer(s): Walmart, Amazon.com, Kmart
Age Recommendation: "Ages 8+"

THE HAZARD: Potential For Eye Injuries

According to W.A.T.C.H., the "Smack Shot" is similar to a slingshot,
and is sold with ammunition capable of firing, per the package, up to 100ft.
The warnings on this one caution users to "alert" anyone that's near the
intended target, just in case.

 

6. KICK FLIPPER

6. kick
KICK FLIPPER (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Playsmart Inc.
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Learning Express
Age Recommendation: "5+"

THE HAZARD: Potential For Head And Impact Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. describes the "Kick Flipper" as a rigid plastic board marketed to children "[l]ike a
skateboard without wheels!" Young users are encouraged to "[l]earn tricks" and "Kick it! Flip it!
Pop it!" There's no mention of safety gear, and the children pictured on the
packaging are not wearing helmets, knee pads or protection of any kind.

 

7. LEONARDO'S ELECTRONIC STEALTH SWORD

7 SWORD
LEONARDO'S ELECTRONIC STEALTH SWORD (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $24.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Playmates International Company Ltd.
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Ebay
Age Recommendation: "Ages 4 and up"

THE HAZARD: Potential For Blunt Force Injuries

The consumer group warns kids are encouraged to engage in a "Ninja Battle" with this
plastic sword associated with a well-known Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character. The blade
has the potential to cause facial or other impact injuries.
8. KID CONNECTION DOCTOR PLAY SET

8 doctor set
KID CONNECTION DOCTOR PLAY SET (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $4.97
Manufacturer/Distributor: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Retailer(s): Walmart, Amazon.com, Ebay
Age Recommendation: "2+"
Warnings on package: None

THE HAZARD: Potential For Ingestion And Choking Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. chose this toy because the multi-colored play set includes "[e]verything
you need to play doctor!" Among the medical devices included is a thin plastic "tongue
depressor" measuring approximately 4¾ inches in length. Small children are effectively invited
to introduce this implement into their mouths, presenting the potential to block their airway.
9. PULL ALONG ZEBRA

9 zebra
PULL ALONG ZEBRA (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $20.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Early Learning Centre
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Kmart, Brookstone, Village Toy Shop
Age Recommendation: "12-36 months"
Warnings: "WARNING - Remember babies and young children
have no idea what is dangerous or potentially harmful,
so supervision is important…."

THE HAZARD: Potential For Strangulation And Entanglement Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. notes that despite the industry's standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to
be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are permitted to market "pull toys" like the "Pull
Along Zebra", with a cord measuring approximately 21 inches. The toy is intended for babies as
young as 12 months old.

 

10. JURASSIC WORLD VELOCIRAPTOR CLAWS

10 claws
JURASSIC WORLD VELOCIRAPTOR CLAWS (photo credit W.A.T.C.H.)

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer/Distributor: Hasbro
Retailer(s): Target, Amazon.com, Toys R Us, Walmart, Kohl's
Age Recommendation: "Age 4+"
Warnings: "WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts will
be generated. Not for children under 3 years"

THE HAZARD: Potential For Eye And Facial Injuries

W.A.T.C.H. reports these oversized claws, based on images and characters from the popular
Jurassic World franchise, are sold to enable 4-year-olds to "claw like a raptor!" No warnings or
cautions are provided regarding the potential for eye and facial injuries.

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